King James Bible Dictionary

Light soil, first mentioned in Genesis 14:5, where it is said that Chedorlaomer and his confederates "smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth," where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them, but was utterly routed (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-7). This country extended from Gilead in the south to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan on the west to Salcah on the east. Along with the half of Gilead it 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; Psalms 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.)

in the tooth, in ivory

A region east of the Jordan and north of Arnon
Genesis 14:5

Og, king of
Joshua 13:12

Allotted to the two and one half tribes, which had their possession east of the Jordan
Numbers 32:33; Deuteronomy 3:10-14; Joshua 12:4-6; Joshua 13:29-31; Joshua 17:1

Invaded and taken by Hazael, king of Syria
2 Kings 10:32-33

Retaken by Jehoash
2 Kings 13:25

Fertility and productiveness of
Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 50:19; Nahum 1:4

Forests of, famous
Isaiah 2:13; Ezekiel 27:6; Zech 11:2

Distinguished for its fine cattle
Deuteronomy 32:14; Psalms 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1; Micah 7:14
Argob; Ashtaroth; Edrei; Jair

(fruitful), a district on the east of Jordan. It is sometimes spoken of as the "land of Bashan," (1 Chronicles 5:11) and comp. Numbers 21:33; 32:33 And sometimes as "all Bashan." (3:10,13; Joshua 12:5; 13:12,30) It was taken by the children of Isr'l after their conquest of the land of Sihon from Arnon to Jabbok. The limits of Bashan are very strictly defined. It extended from the "border of Gilead" on the south to Mount Hermon on the north, (3:3,10,14; Joshua 12:5; 1 Chronicles 5:23) and from the Arabah or Jordan valley on the west to Salchah (Sulkhad) and the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites on the east. (Joshua 12:3-5; 3:10) This important district was bestowed on the half-tribe of Manasseh, (Joshua 13:29-31) together with "half Gilead." This country is now full of interesting ruins, which have lately been explored and from which much light has been thrown upon Bible times. See Porter's "Giant Cities of Bashan."

(Psalms 68:15), probably another name for Hermon, which lies to the north of Bashan.

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 of the villages of Jair), a name given to Argob after its conquest by Jair. (3:14)

A name given to Argob.
Deuteronomy 3:14