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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Basemath</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/b/basemath.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/26-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/b/basemath.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Basemath</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/b/based.htm" title="Based">◄</a> Basemath <a href="/topical/b/bas'emath.htm" title="Bas'emath">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Basemath is a name mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with two distinct women who were connected to the family of Esau, the brother of Jacob. The name Basemath, which can also be spelled as Bashemath, is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "fragrance" or "perfume."<br><br>1. <b>Basemath, Daughter of Elon the Hittite</b>: Basemath is first introduced in <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34</a> as one of the wives of Esau. "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." (<a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34</a>). This marriage, along with Esau's other unions with Canaanite women, was a source of grief to his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, as noted in <a href="/genesis/26-35.htm">Genesis 26:35</a>: "And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah." The union with Basemath, a Hittite, reflects Esau's departure from the covenantal family line, which traditionally sought to marry within their own kin to preserve the Abrahamic covenant.<br><br>2. <b>Basemath, Daughter of Ishmael</b>: Another Basemath is mentioned in <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3</a> as a wife of Esau, but she is identified as the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son through Hagar. "And Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth." (<a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3</a>). This Basemath is also referred to as Mahalath in <a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9</a>, where Esau takes her as a wife in an attempt to please his father Isaac after realizing that his Canaanite wives were displeasing to his parents. "So Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had." (<a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9</a>). This marriage signifies Esau's attempt to align himself more closely with his family's heritage, as Ishmael was a son of Abraham.<br><br>The dual mention of Basemath in different contexts has led to some scholarly debate regarding whether these references pertain to the same individual or if they are indeed two separate women. The genealogical records in <a href="/bsb/genesis/36.htm">Genesis 36</a> provide further insight into Esau's descendants, where Basemath, the daughter of Ishmael, is noted as the mother of Reuel, one of Esau's sons (<a href="/genesis/36-4.htm">Genesis 36:4</a>).<br><br>In the broader narrative of Genesis, the marriages of Esau, including those to women named Basemath, highlight the tensions between Esau and his family, particularly in relation to the covenantal promises given to Abraham and Isaac. Esau's choices in marriage are often contrasted with those of Jacob, who sought to marry within the family lineage, thus emphasizing the theme of covenant fidelity and the continuation of God's promises through specific family lines.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">BASEMATH; BASHEMATH; BASMATH</span><p>bas'-e-math, bash'-e-math, bas'-math (basemath, "fragrant"):<br><br>(1) Basemath, one of the wives of Esau, a daughter of Elon, the Hittite (<a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34</a>; the King James Version Bashemath), probably identical with or a sister of Adah whom he also married (<a href="/genesis/36-2.htm">Genesis 36:2</a>). Compare ADAH.<br><br>(2) Basemath (the King James Version Bashemath), another wife of Esau, a daughter of Ishmael and a sister of Nebaioth (<a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3, 4, 10, 13, 17</a>). This wife is also called Mahalath (<a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9</a>), 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.<br><br>(3) Basemath (the King James Version Basmath), the daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, a commissariat-officer in the service of Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/4-15.htm">1 Kings 4:15</a>).<br><br>A. L. Breslich<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/1315.htm"><span class="l">1315. <b>Basemath</b> -- "perfume," a wife of Esau (or perhaps two wives <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> 1314, 1315. <b>Basemath</b>. 1316 . "perfume <b>...</b> Solomon. Transliteration: <b>Basemath</b><br> Phonetic Spelling: (bos-math') Short Definition: <b>Basemath</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1315.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_xxxvi.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xxxvi</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Zibe'on signifies "hyena." <b>Basemath</b> (v. Genesis 36:3) means "perfume." 'Eliphaz<br> seems to mean "pure gold." Re'u'el (v. Genesis 36:4) is "friend of God," though <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm</font><p><a href="/library/edersheim/the_life_and_times_of_jesus_the_messiah/chapter_iv_the_marriage_feast.htm"><span class="l">The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> p. 65 d, where this is also related, it is pointed out that the original name of<br> Esau's wife had been <b>Basemath</b> (Genesis 36:3), the name Machalath, therefore <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm</font><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_xxvi.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xxvi</span></a> <br><b>...</b> When Esau was forty years old he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri, the Hittite,<br> and <b>Basemath</b>, the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and they were a grief of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/b/basemath.htm"><span class="l"><b>Basemath</b> (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia <b>BASEMATH</b>; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. bas'-e-math,<br> bash'-e-math, bas'-math (<b>basemath</b>, "fragrant"): (1) <b>Basemath</b><b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/basemath.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bas'emath.htm"><span class="l">Bas'emath (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Bas'emath. <b>Basemath</b>, Bas'emath. Basement . Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b> (See RSV).<br> Genesis 36:3 and <b>Basemath</b> Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth. (See RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bas'emath.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bashemath.htm"><span class="l">Bashemath (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (2.) A daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, one of his officers (1 Kings<br> 4:15). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>BASEMATH</b>; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bashemath.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/basmath.htm"><span class="l">Basmath (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia <b>BASEMATH</b>; BASHEMATH; BASMATH. bas'-e-math,<br> bash'-e-math, bas'-math (<b>basemath</b>, "fragrant"): (1) <b>Basemath</b><b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/basmath.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/reuel.htm"><span class="l">Reuel (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> roo'-el (re`u'el, "God is his friend"; the Septuagint Rhagouel): (1) In the<br> genealogical system Reuel is both a son of Esau by <b>Basemath</b> (Genesis 36:4, 10, 13 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/reuel.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/reu'el.htm"><span class="l">Reu'el (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Reu'el (10 Occurrences). Genesis 36:4 And Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz; and <b>Basemath</b><br> bore Reuel; (See RSV). <b>...</b> These were the sons of <b>Basemath</b> Esau's wife. (See RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/reu'el.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/adah.htm"><span class="l">Adah (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> In this chapter Esau's other wives are Oholibamah, a Hivite, and <b>Basemath</b> the daughter<br> of Ishmael. <b>...</b> Genesis 36:4 Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. <b>Basemath</b> bore Reuel. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/adah.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/esau's.htm"><span class="l">Esau's (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 36:10 these are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the<br> wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of <b>Basemath</b>, the wife of Esau. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/esau's.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/nahath.htm"><span class="l">Nahath (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Nahath (5 Occurrences). Genesis 36:13 These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah,<br> Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of <b>Basemath</b>, Esau's wife. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/nahath.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/grandsons.htm"><span class="l">Grandsons (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (See NIV). Genesis 36:13 These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and<br> Mizzah. These were the sons of <b>Basemath</b>, Esau's wife. (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/grandsons.htm - 8k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Naphtali-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Naphtali in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Ahimaaz-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Ahimaaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Basemath (7 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34</a></span><br />When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span>, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3</a></span><br />and <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span>, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-4.htm">Genesis 36:4</a></span><br />Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span> bore Reuel. <br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-10.htm">Genesis 36:10</a></span><br />these are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span>, the wife of Esau.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-13.htm">Genesis 36:13</a></span><br />These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span>, Esau's wife.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-17.htm">Genesis 36:17</a></span><br />These are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span>, Esau's wife.<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/4-15.htm">1 Kings 4:15</a></span><br />Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also took <span class="boldtext">Basemath</span> the daughter of Solomon as wife);<br /><span class="source">(WEB JPS ASV BBE YLT NAS NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/basemath.htm">Basemath</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/basemath.htm">Basemath (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/basement.htm">Basement (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/b/based.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Based"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Based" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/b/bas'emath.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Bas'emath"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Bas'emath" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>