In OT times the chief wife of a king's harem or a female monarch. A queen mother, as a king's widow and the mother of the reigning king, would have held a position of some authority and influence.

Esther 2:17

A queen as the wife of a king

See also

A chief wife among several

Esther 1:9-12; 2:4
Esther 1:15-18; 2:22; 5:12; 7:5-8

Enjoying a position of some influence

Esther 5:2-3

See also

Enjoying the king's special favour

Esther 7:1-3; 8:1,7; 9:12
Songs 6:8-9
Nehemiah 2:6
Psalms 45:9
Esther 9:29

See also

Sometimes granted considerable authority

Esther 9:31
1 Kings 10:1

A queen as a female monarch

The queen of Sheba

See also

1 Kings 10:2-10

pp 2Ch 9:1

1 Kings 10:13

pp 2Ch 9:1-9

Matthew 12:42

pp 2Ch 9:12

2 Kings 11:1-21

pp Lk 11:31

Queen Athaliah of Judah

pp 2Ch 22:10-23:21

Lamentations 1:1

Queen used figuratively

Ezekiel 16:13

Of Jerusalem

Isaiah 47:5,7
Revelation 18:7

Of Babylon

Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19,25

Queen of Heaven: a title for the Babylonian goddess Ishtar

1 Kings 2:19

A queen mother as a king's widow and mother of the reigning king

See also

1 Kings 15:13
2 Kings 10:13; 24:8,12,15
Jeremiah 13:18; 22:26; 29:2

pp 2Ch 15:16

Daniel 5:10
Acts 8:27

See also

4215 Babylon
5215 authority
5280 crown
5345 influence
5366 king
5457 power, human
5509 rulers
5581 throne
8747 false gods