Bible Figure
Basemath
female human biblical figure, daugher of Ishmael (Genesis 36) or Elon the Hittite (Genesis 26), and the third wife of Esau
Basemath is a name associated with women in Esau's family; Genesis' wife lists use overlapping names and relationships that require caution.
Biography
Genesis 26 names Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite as one of Esau's wives, while Genesis 36 names Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth as another wife of Esau. Genesis 28 calls Ishmael's daughter Mahalath. These differing name sets may reflect alternate names or textual/genealogical conventions, but the Bible does not explain them explicitly. Genesis 36 associates Basemath with Esau's son Reuel.
Biblical Significance
Basemath belongs to the genealogical history of Esau and Edom. This entry should preserve the biblical naming complexity rather than force all references into an unsupported single reconstruction.