Batanaea
LocationsGeographical Setting
Batanaea was a fertile district in the ancient region of Bashan, located in the Golan Heights.
What is the meaning of Batanaea in the Bible?
Batanaea denotes a specific toparchy within the broader region of Bashan, identified in classical sources as a distinct administrative unit during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Batanaea clarifies the geographical boundaries of the tribes of Gad and Manasseh and provides context for the territorial extent of Herod Philip's tetrarchy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Batanaea (located near modern Golan Heights) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Batanaea in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Batanaea clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Batanaea." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/batanaea/