"a queen, Mt. 12:42; Lk. 11:31; Acts 8:27; Rev. 18:7*"
Definition and meaning
a queen, Mt. 12:42; Lk. 11:31; Acts 8:27; Rev. 18:7*
In the original Greek the word is written: βασίλισσα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of basilissa (G938) across the King James Bible.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G938 (basilissa) is a Greek word that means: a queen, Mt. 12:42; Lk. 11:31; Acts 8:27; Rev. 18:7* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word basilissa (G938) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G938 is basilissa, a Greek word defined as: a queen, Mt. 12:42; Lk. 11:31; Acts 8:27; Rev. 18:7*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
basilissa is a Greek word found in the New Testament.