Topical Bible: Bashan: Forests of, Famous

◄ Bashan: Forests of, Famous ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Bashan, a region frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, is renowned for its lush forests and fertile lands. Located east of the Jordan River, Bashan was part of the territory allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh. The region's natural resources, particularly its forests, contributed significantly to its fame and prosperity.

The forests of Bashan are often highlighted in Scripture for their grandeur and the quality of their timber. In Isaiah 2:13 , the prophet speaks of "all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, and all the oaks of Bashan," indicating the prominence of Bashan's trees alongside the renowned cedars of Lebanon. This comparison underscores the significance of Bashan's forests in the ancient Near Eastern context, where timber was a valuable resource for construction and trade.

Ezekiel 27:6 further emphasizes the importance of Bashan's timber, noting that the oars of Tyre's ships were made from "oaks of Bashan." This reference highlights the quality and desirability of the wood from Bashan, which was sought after by neighboring regions for its strength and durability.

The region's fertility and abundant resources are also reflected in its agricultural prosperity. Bashan was known for its rich pastures and livestock, as seen in Psalm 22:12 , where the psalmist refers to "strong bulls of Bashan" surrounding him. This imagery conveys the strength and vitality associated with the region's produce and livestock.

In addition to its natural resources, Bashan held strategic importance due to its location and fertile lands. The region was a site of significant biblical events, including the conquest by the Israelites under Moses. In Deuteronomy 3:4-5 , the text recounts the capture of the cities of Bashan, describing them as "sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan." These cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, indicating the region's wealth and strategic value.

The forests of Bashan, therefore, symbolize not only the natural beauty and resources of the land but also its historical and theological significance within the biblical narrative. The references to Bashan's forests and resources throughout Scripture serve as a testament to the region's enduring legacy in the biblical world.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 2:13
And on all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and on all the oaks of Bashan,
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 27:6
Of the oaks of Bashan have they made your oars; the company of the Ashurites have made your benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.
Nave's Topical Index

Zechariah 11:2
Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O you oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Six Cities
... of Ramoth, then, among the hills and slopes on the other side of the Jordan, with
their forests of native oak, which the famous "bulls of Bashan" (herds of ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Of these states, the most famous, though not then the most redoubtable, was that
with ... and Samalla lay on the banks of the Saluara, and in the forests of the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... in those days clothed with dense forests, in which ... sciences for which Chaldaea had
been famous from time ... and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm