Bethbasi
LocationsGeographical Setting
Bethbasi was a fortified settlement in the Judean wilderness, identified in 1 Maccabees as a strategic stronghold repaired by the Hasmonean leaders Jonathan and Simon.
What is the meaning of Bethbasi in the Bible?
The name Bethbasi likely translates to 'house of marshes' or 'place of marshes' and denotes a fortified site in the Judean wilderness that was repaired by Jonathan and Simon according to 1 Maccabees 12:59 and 13:53.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Bethbasi helps clarify the military geography of the Hasmonean period, illustrating how control over fortified wilderness sites was crucial for securing the region against external threats and internal rivals.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.