Bashemath is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with the patriarchal narratives. Her name, which can be translated to mean "fragrance" or "perfume," appears in different contexts and genealogies, reflecting the complex familial relationships of the time.

1. Bashemath, Daughter of Elon the Hittite: Bashemath is first introduced as one of Esau's wives. In Genesis 26:34 , it is recorded, "When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite." This marriage to a Hittite woman was a source of grief to Esau's parents, Isaac and Rebekah, as noted in Genesis 26:35 : "And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah." This union highlights the tensions between the covenant family and the surrounding Canaanite peoples, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinctiveness and faithfulness to God's promises.

2. Bashemath, Daughter of Ishmael: In another account, Bashemath is identified as a daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, and a wife of Esau. Genesis 36:3 states, "and Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth." This marriage is part of Esau's attempt to align himself with his father's family line after realizing the displeasure his previous marriages caused. The dual mention of Bashemath in different genealogical contexts has led to discussions among scholars regarding potential textual variations or the possibility of multiple individuals bearing the same name.

3. Genealogical Significance: The mention of Bashemath in the genealogies of Esau's descendants underscores the broader narrative of the Edomites, who are the descendants of Esau. Genesis 36 provides a detailed account of Esau's lineage, where Bashemath is listed as the mother of Reuel, one of Esau's sons (Genesis 36:4). This lineage is significant in understanding the development of the Edomite nation, which plays a role in the broader biblical narrative concerning Israel's neighboring peoples.

4. Cultural and Theological Implications: The marriages of Esau, including his union with Bashemath, reflect the cultural and theological dynamics of the patriarchal period. Esau's choice of wives from outside the covenant community is often viewed as a departure from the faithfulness expected of the patriarchs' descendants. This narrative thread serves as a backdrop to the unfolding account of Jacob and Esau, highlighting themes of covenant fidelity, divine election, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the chosen line of Jacob.

In summary, Bashemath's role in the biblical narrative, though not extensively detailed, contributes to the understanding of Esau's family dynamics and the broader genealogical and theological themes present in the Old Testament. Her account is interwoven with the complex relationships and cultural interactions of the patriarchal era, providing insight into the challenges of maintaining covenant identity amidst surrounding influences.Bashemath

perfumed; confusion of death; in desolation

Bashemath

(fragrant, pleasing), daughter of Ishmael, the last married of the three wives of Esau. (Genesis 26:34; 36:3,4,13) (B.C. after 1797.) In (Genesis 28:9) she is called Mahalath.

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).

BASEMATH; BASHEMATH; BASMATH

bas'-e-math, bash'-e-math, bas'-math (basemath, "fragrant"):

(1) Basemath, one of the wives of Esau, a daughter of Elon, the Hittite (Genesis 26:34; the King James Version Bashemath), probably identical with or a sister of Adah whom he also married (Genesis 36:2). Compare ADAH.

(2) Basemath (the King James Version Bashemath), another wife of Esau, a daughter of Ishmael and a sister of Nebaioth (Genesis 36:3, 4, 10, 13, 17). This wife is also called Mahalath (Genesis 28:9), and is of the house of Abraham. Esau married her because his father was not pleased with his other wives who were daughters of Canaan. Compare MAHALATH.

(3) Basemath (the King James Version Basmath), the daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, a commissariat-officer in the service of Solomon (1 Kings 4:15).

A. L. Breslich

BASHEMATH

bash'-e-math.

See BASEMATH.

1315. Basemath -- "perfume," a wife of Esau (or perhaps two wives ...
... Bashemath, Basmath. Feminine of besem (the second form); fragrance; Bosmath, the
name of a wife of Esau, and of a daughter of Solomon -- Bashemath, Basmath. ...
/hebrew/1315.htm - 6kBashemath (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BASEMATH; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. ... AL Breslich.
BASHEMATH. bash'-e-math. See BASEMATH. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/bashemath.htm - 10k

Basmath (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BASEMATH; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. bas'-e-math,
bash'-e-math, bas'-math (basemath, "fragrant"): (1) Basemath ...
/b/basmath.htm - 9k

Basemath (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BASEMATH; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. bas'-e-math,
bash'-e-math, bas'-math (basemath, "fragrant"): (1) Basemath ...
/b/basemath.htm - 9k

Nebajoth (3 Occurrences)
... sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. (KJV WBS YLT). Genesis 36:3 And Bashemath
Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/n/nebajoth.htm - 7k

Reuel (14 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Friend of God. (1.) A son of Esau and Bashemath
(Genesis 36:4, 10; 1 Chronicles 1:35). (2.) "The priest ...
/r/reuel.htm - 12k

Elon (8 Occurrences)
... Oak. (1.) A city of Dan (Joshua 19:43). (2.) A Hittite, father of Bashemath, Esau's
wife (Genesis 26:34). (3.) One of the sons of Zebulun (Genesis 46:14). ...
/e/elon.htm - 10k

Esau (89 Occurrences)
... years, to the great grief of his parents, he married (Genesis 26:34, 35) two
Canaanitish maidens, Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Bashemath, the daughter ...
/e/esau.htm - 41k

Duke (14 Occurrences)
... son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that
came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife ...
/d/duke.htm - 13k

Dukes (14 Occurrences)
... son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that
came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife ...
/d/dukes.htm - 10k

Mahalath (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A lute; lyre. (1.) The daughter of Ishmael, and third
wife of Esau (Genesis 28:9); called also Bashemath (Genesis 36:3). ...
/m/mahalath.htm - 11k

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