was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:29-31). Golan, one of
its cities, became a “city of refuge” (Joshua 21:27). Argob, in Bashan, was
one of Solomon’s commissariat districts (1 Kings 4:13). The cities of
Bashan were taken by Hazael (2 Kings 10:33), but were soon after
reconquered by Jehoash (2 Kings 13:25), who overcame the Syrians in
three battles, according to the word of Elisha (19). From this time Bashan
almost disappears from history, although we read of the wild cattle of its
rich pastures (Ezekiel 39:18; Psalm 22:12), the oaks of its forests (Isaiah
2:13; Ezekiel 27:6; Zechariah 11:2), and the beauty of its extensive plains
(Amos 4:1; Jeremiah 50:19). Soon after the conquest, the name “Gilead”
was given to the whole country beyond Jordan. After the Exile, Bashan
was divided into four districts, (1.) Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the most
western; (2.) Auranitis, the Hauran (Ezekiel 47:16); (3.) Argob or
Trachonitis, now the Lejah; and (4.) Batanaea, now Ard-el-Bathanyeh, on
the east of the Lejah, with many deserted towns almost as perfect as when
they were inhabited. (See HAURAN.)
- BASHAN-HAVOTH-JAIR the Bashan of the villages of Jair, the general
name given to Argob by Jair, the son of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:14),
containing sixty cities with walls and brazen gates (Joshua 13:30; 1 Kings
4:13). (See ARGOB.) - BASHAN, HILL OF (Psalm 68:15), probably another name for Hermon,
which lies to the north of Bashan. - BASHEMATH sweet-smelling. (1.) The daughter of Ishmael, the last of
Esau’s three wives (Genesis 36:3, 4, 13), from whose son Reuel four tribes
of the Edomites sprung. She is also called Mahalath (Genesis 28:9). It is
noticeable that Esau’s three wives receive different names in the
genealogical table of the Edomites (Genesis 36) from those given to them in
the history (Genesis 26:34; 28:9).
(2.) A daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, one of his officers (1
Kings 4:15).