Queen

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.

A queen as the wife of a king

A chief wife among several

Esther 2:17 See also Esther 1:9–12, Esther 2:4

And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

Enjoying a position of some influence

Esther 1:15–18, Esther 2:22, Esther 5:12, Esther 7:5–8

Enjoying the king's special favour

Esther 5:2–3 See also Esther 7:1–3, Esther 8:1, Esther 8:7, Esther 9:12; Song of Solomon 6:8–9; Nehemiah 2:6; Psalm 45:9

As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

Sometimes granted considerable authority

Esther 9:29 See also Esther 9:31

So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.

A queen as a female monarch

The queen of Sheba

1 Kings 10:1 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:1 See also 1 Kings 10:2–10 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:1–9; 1 Kings 10:13 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:12; Matthew 12:42 parallel Luke 11:31

Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

2 Kings 11:1–21 parallel 2 Chronicles 22:10–23:21

Queen used figuratively

Of Jerusalem

Lamentations 1:1; Ezekiel 16:13

Of Babylon

Isaiah 47:5, Isaiah 47:7; Revelation 18:7

Queen of Heaven: a title for the Babylonian goddess Ishtar

Jeremiah 7:18, Jeremiah 44:17–19, Jeremiah 44:25

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

1 Kings 2:19 See also 1 Kings 15:13 parallel 2 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Kings 10:13, 2 Kings 24:8, 2 Kings 24:12, 2 Kings 24:15; Jeremiah 13:18, Jeremiah 22:26, Jeremiah 29:2; Daniel 5:10; Acts 8:27

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.