Bashan-Havoth-Jair

Bashan-Havoth-jair is the name given to the region of Argob in Bashan after its conquest and renaming by Jair the son of Manasseh during the Israelite advance into Transjordan.

The Naming of the Region

Moses records the renaming in Deuteronomy's account of the division of conquered territory: "Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair, to this day" (Deut 3:14). The region is identified as Bashan, and Jair gives it his own name — Havvoth-jair, meaning the settlements or tent-villages of Jair — a practice of renaming conquered territory after the conqueror that reflects the personal claim established over it. The phrase "to this day" marks the name as still current at the time of Deuteronomy's composition.