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kweÌ„n: The Bible applies this term: (1) To the wife of a king (“queen consortâ€) (מלכּה, malkaÌ„h). In the Book of Esther it is the title given to Vashti () and Esther (); compare f. Another Hebrew word for queen consort is גּבירה, gebhı̄raÌ„h, literally “mistress†(compare , the wife of Pharaoh; , “the children of the king and the children of the queenâ€). In and we find the expression ש×גּל, sheÌ„ghaÌ„l, which some trace back to ש×גל, shaÌ„ghal, “to ravish,†a rather doubtful derivation. Still another term is שׂרה, saÌ„raÌ„h, literally, “princess†(). The Septuagint sometimes uses the word βασιÌκισσα, basıÌlissa; compare . (2) To a female ruler or sovereign (“queen regnantâ€). The only instances are those of the queen (malkaÌ„h) of Sheba (-13; compare -12) and of Candace, the queen (basilissa) of the Ethiopians (). In (compare ) Christ refers to the queen of the south (βασιÌλισσα νοÌτου, basıÌlissa noÌtou), meaning, of course, the queen of Sheba. (3) To a heathen deity, השּ××ž×™× ×ž×œ×›×ª, melekheth ha-shaÌ„mayim, “the queen of heaven†(; ff). See QUEEN OF HEAVEN.
(4) Metaphorically, to the city of Babylon (Rome) (): an expression denoting sovereign contempt and imaginary dignity and power.