Sabean
/ˈseɪ.bi.ən/noun
Relating to Saba, an ancient kingdom in southwestern Arabia, or to its people and culture.
Did you know?The Sabeans controlled major frankincense and myrrh routes, making their kingdom central to the ancient ritual economy of the Near East.
Etymological Timeline
1st millennium BCE
South Arabian
Sabaʾ
“The name of the ancient South Arabian kingdom and its people, commonly rendered Saba.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
שְׁבָא (Šəḇāʾ)
“Sheba, a wealthy distant land or people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Σαβαῖος (Sabaîos)
“Sabaean; relating to Saba in southern Arabia.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Sabaeus
“Of Saba or the Sabeans.”
16th Century
English
Sabean
“Relating to Saba, its people, or its ancient civilization.”
Modern English
English
Sabean
“Relating to the ancient Sabean kingdom, culture, language, or people.”