Original Word: סְבָא
Part of Speech: proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Cba'
Pronunciation: seh-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (seb-aw')
KJV: Seba
NASB: Seba
Word Origin: [of foreign origin]

1. Seba, a son of Cush, and the country settled by him

Seba

Of foreign origin; Seba, a son of Cush, and the country settled by him -- Seba.

Word Origin
from saba
Definition
son of Cush, also his desc. and their land
NASB Translation
Seba (4).

סְבָא proper name, masculine 1st son of Cush, in poetry and late; — Genesis 10:7 (P) (ᵐ5 Σαβα, as שְׁבָא) = 1 Chronicles 1:9 (ᵐ5 id., but B Σαβατ); = nation (or territory) Psalm 72:10 (ᵐ5 Σαβα; + שְׁבָא, ᵐ5 Αραβων), so (+ כּוּשׁ, "" מִצְרַיִם) Isaiah 43:3 (ᵐ5 Σοηνη); clearly situated in south; most probably = λιμὴν Σαβά, and Σαβαὶ πόλις εὐμεγέθης, in Adulic gulf on west coast of Red Sea; see Strabo^{xvi. 4. 8. 10} Ptol^{iv. 7, 7 f.} Di^Gn Bae^Psalm Du^Is; > Meroë Jos^{Ant. ii. 10}, 2 and others

Genealogical Origin

Seba first appears in the Table of Nations as the eldest son of Cush, son of Ham (Genesis 10:7; 1 Chronicles 1:9). From this single ancestor arose a people and land that carried his name. The mention in these genealogies affirms Scripture’s concern to trace every nation back to God’s creative purpose after the flood and to highlight His providence over all peoples.

Geographical Setting

Ancient writers located Seba south of Egypt, in the region later known as Nubia and upper Ethiopia, along the banks of the Nile and stretching toward the Red Sea. Archaeological finds at Meroë and Napata reveal a flourishing, gold-rich kingdom that traded ivory, incense, and exotic animals—commodities echoed in Psalm 72:10. The proximity of Seba to Cush in Isaiah 43:3 and its commercial pairing with Sheba in Psalm 72 suggest strong maritime and caravan links that tied Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean world together.

Prophetic and Poetic Usage

1. Psalm 72:10 looks beyond Solomon to the Messianic King:

“May the kings of Sheba and Seba present gifts.”

Here Seba represents the opulent far-reaches of the earth bringing tribute to the Lord’s Anointed, foreshadowing the Magi and the ultimate homage of every nation to Christ.

2. Isaiah 43:3 places Seba in a salvation oracle addressed to exiled Israel:

“I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.”

The Lord, valuing His covenant people, is willing to shift regional powers for their deliverance. Seba thus embodies the nations God governs in order to accomplish redemption history.

These prophetic texts underline both the supremacy of Israel’s God over all kingdoms and His missionary heartbeat that the glory of Zion’s King extend to territories as distant as Seba.

Historical Significance

The people of Seba maintained political autonomy and military capacity significant enough for Isaiah to list them alongside Egypt and Cush. Their wealth drew attention from larger empires, while their strategic trade routes made them a conduit for cultural exchange. Because Seba’s lineage stems from Ham, biblical references to the nation show the Lord’s interaction with all three lines of Noah—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—reaffirming universal accountability to, and provision from, the Creator.

Theological and Missional Implications

• God’s covenant promises move through Israel but are destined to bless every family of the earth, including the descendants of Ham (Genesis 12:3).
• The tribute of Seba in Psalm 72 previews Revelation 21:24, where “the kings of the earth will bring their glory” into the New Jerusalem.
• Isaiah 43:3 teaches that divine redemption has measurable cost; the nations are not disposable, yet God orchestrates history so His salvific plan prevails.
• Seba’s inclusion in Scripture encourages the church to recognize God’s interest in the peoples of the African continent and to labor for the spread of the gospel there.

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Treasure Every People Group. Just as Seba’s seemingly remote tribe occupies space in God’s Word, modern believers should honor and evangelize overlooked nations.
2. Proclaim Christ’s Universal Reign. The prophetic image of Seba bringing gifts to the King strengthens confidence that global missions will succeed.
3. Depend on Sovereign Providence. Isaiah’s mention of Seba assures the church that geopolitical shifts ultimately serve God’s redemptive purpose.
4. Embrace Multiethnic Worship. Anticipating the eschatological gathering of Sheba, Seba, and all nations, congregations should cultivate diversity that mirrors the kingdom to come.

Thus, Seba stands as a testimony to the scope of divine sovereignty, the reach of messianic hope, and the mandate for worldwide mission.

וּ֝סְבָ֗א וּסְבָ֖א וסבא סְבָא֙ סבא sə·ḇā səḇā seVa ū·sə·ḇā ūsəḇā useVaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts