Bashan was an Amorite kingdom in the northernmost part of the transjordan region. It was conquered by the Israelites during the time of Moses and was the northeasternmost region in Israel (before the military expansions under King David).
Kingdom of Bashan[]
The kingdom of Bashan had sixty main cities.[1] Of these, Ashtaroth was its capital city.[2] All of these cities had high walls, gates, and bars. There were also many unwalled villages.[3] The last king of Bashan, Og, was a giant, though the rest of the people of Bashan were not.[4] Mount Hermon was located in Bashan.[5] Bashan bordered Sihon's Amorite kingdom to the south, and the Syrian kingdoms of Geshur and Maacah to the west.
Israel conquers Bashan[]
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after the exodus, they sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, asking to pass through his land.[6] But Sihon refused and instead attacked Israel,[7] but Israel defeated the Amorites and began living in the land.[8] Moses then led the people toward Bashan, and the king of Bashan, Og, came out against them with his army at Edrei.[9] Ahead of the battle, God told Moses not to fear Og, for God would give Israel victory and allow Israel to take possession of Bashan, just as they did against Sihon king of the Amorites.[10] Accordingly, the battle was a great victory for Israel, and the Israelites took possession of Bashan.[11]
Before crossing into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and part of Manasseh asked Moses if their tribal inheritances could instead be in the transjordan.[12] Moses granted their request, provided the tribes swear to help the rest of the Israelites defeat the Canaanites before taking possession of their land in the transjordan, which the tribes did.[13] The territory of Bashan was given to the tribe of Manasseh.[14]
Later history[]
Although Bashan was in the territorial allotment of the tribe of Manasseh, members of tribe of Gad also ended up living in the southern part of Bashan.[15]
The region of Bashan is often mentioned in the Psalms. In Psalm 22, David uses the phrase "strong bulls of Bashan me" as a metaphor for his many adversaries attacking him.[16] The region of Bashan was known for its fattened cows, and this is used metaphorically by prophets such as Ezekiel, who used "fat beasts of Bashan" as a metaphor for mighty adversaries that Israel would defeat.[17] The prophet Amos insulted wealthy Israelites by calling them "cows of Bashan" as they oppressed the poor.[18] Bashan was also known for its oak forests,[19] which were often alluded to in Old Testament prophecies.[20]
During the reign of Jehu, Syria invaded Israel and captured the territory of Bashan.[21]
Legacy[]
Israel's victory over Bashan is often used in the Bible as a prime example of God's power and faithfulness.[22]
Verses[]
- ↑ Deut. 3:4 (Link)
- ↑ Josh. 9:10 (Link)
- ↑ Deut. 3:5 (Link)
- ↑ Deut. 3:11 (Link)
- ↑ Josh. 12:5 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:22 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:23 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:31 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:33 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:34 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 21:35 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 32:5 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 32:29 (Link)
- ↑ Num. 32:33 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chron. 5:11 (Link)
- ↑ Ps. 22:12 (Link)
- ↑ Ezek. 39:18 (Link)
- ↑ Amos 4:1 (Link)
- ↑ Isa. 2:13 (Link)
- ↑ Zech. 11:2 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Kings 10:33 (Link)
- ↑ Ps. 136:20 (Link)