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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.)
•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).