Brief overview of βασίλισσα (G938: basilíssa)

1. Overview

βασίλισσα (basilíssa), transliterated as “bah-SEE-lis-sah,” is a Greek noun that means “queen” or “queen consort.” It is the feminine form of βασιλεύς (basileús), which means “king.” The term basilíssa was used in ancient Greek to refer to a woman who held the title of queen, whether by marriage to a king or as a ruling monarch in her own right. In the New Testament, the word is used to describe royal women, emphasizing their status and authority within the kingdom.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines basilíssa as “queen,” noting that the term can refer to both the wife of a king and a reigning queen. The lexicon highlights the word’s use in the New Testament, where it is primarily found in the context of describing historical or metaphorical queens. BDAG emphasizes the connection of basilíssa to royal authority and the influence wielded by such figures in their respective societies.

Thayer’s Lexicon agrees with BDAG’s definition and expands on the role of the basilíssa as one who shares in the king’s rule or, in certain cases, exercises authority independently. Thayer’s notes that the term can be used not only for historical queens but also in metaphorical senses, such as describing the city of Babylon as a queen in the book of Revelation.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary similarly defines basilíssa as “queen” and notes its use in both literal and symbolic contexts in the New Testament. Vine’s highlights the importance of the term in understanding the societal roles of royal women in the ancient world and how these roles were perceived in biblical texts.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides additional context for the classical usage of basilíssa, noting that the term was commonly used in Greek literature to describe queens, both historical and mythological. LSJ emphasizes that basilíssa was often associated with power, influence, and sometimes even divine favor, depending on the context.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 12:42: “The queen (βασίλισσα) of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.”
• Revelation 18:7: “In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen (βασίλισσα). I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’”

In these verses, basilíssa is used to describe both a historical queen, the Queen of Sheba, and a symbolic figure, representing the city of Babylon.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, basilíssa was frequently used to describe queens, both in historical accounts and in mythological stories. The term conveyed a sense of authority, dignity, and often divinely sanctioned power. It was used to describe queens in various contexts, from those who ruled alongside their husbands to those who were revered as goddesses.

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• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses basilíssa to describe Queen Nitocris of Egypt, noting her influence and wisdom in the governance of her kingdom.
• Euripides, Bacchae: In this play, Euripides uses basilíssa to describe the Queen of Thebes, highlighting her role in the tragic events that unfold.
• Sophocles, Oedipus Rex: Sophocles employs basilíssa to refer to Queen Jocasta, the wife of King Oedipus, underscoring her importance in the royal household and the unfolding of the play’s dramatic events.

These examples from classical literature illustrate the term’s usage in contexts involving royal women who wielded significant power and influence, whether in history, myth, or drama.

4. Summary

The noun basilíssa (G938) is a Greek term meaning “queen,” derived from the word basileús, meaning “king.” It is used to describe royal women, whether as consorts to kings or as reigning monarchs in their own right. Lexical sources such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s highlight the term’s association with authority, dignity, and sometimes divine favor, as seen in both historical and symbolic contexts within the New Testament. In classical Greek literature, basilíssa was used to describe queens in a variety of settings, from historical accounts to mythological stories, emphasizing the power and influence of these women. The term remains significant in understanding the roles and perceptions of royal women in both biblical and classical contexts, illustrating their impact on ancient society and literature.