The Definition of the word Bashan

Bashan

Light soil, first mentioned in Gen. 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 (Num. 21:33-35; Deut." 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 (Josh. 13:29-31). Golan, one of its" "cities, became a "city of refuge" (Josh. 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 (Ezek. 39:18; Ps. 22:12), the oaks of its forests (Isa." "2:13; Ezek. 27:6; Zech. 11:2), and the beauty of its extensive" "plains (Amos 4:1; Jer. 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 (Ezek." "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 [49]HAURAN.)