Who was Basemath in the Bible?

There are two different women named Basemath in the Bible. Both appear in the Old Testament. The first Basemath, a Hittite, is found in the book of Genesis. She is part of the stories of Esau and Jacob. In certain passages describing Esau’s family, she has a different name for reasons that are unclear. The second Basemath, whose ethnicity is unknown, briefly appears as part of Solomon’s story in 1 Kings.

The first reference in Genesis to Basemath states her relationship with Esau: “When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith, daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath, daughter of Elon the Hittite” (Genesis 26:34). Thus, Basemath is one of Esau’s wives.

Esau’s marriages to Hittite women created problems because they violated the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:7–8). The Hittites practiced pagan religion, which conflicted with the Israelites’ faith (Deuteronomy 12:31). Because of this, Esau’s marriages brought grief to his parents, Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35).

The second mention of Basemath appears in Genesis 36:3: “Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.” While this verse refers to one of Esau’s wives, the same woman in Genesis 28:9 is called Mahalath: “He 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.” Both passages describe a daughter of Ishmael and a sister of Nebaioth. For this reason, Mahalath and Basemath may refer to the same person. Others suggest that the difference reflects variations in the genealogical traditions preserved in the text. Regardless of the explanation, Esau’s marriage to Basemath is notable because it shows an attempt to align himself more closely with his family line.

The lineage in Genesis 36 refers to Basemath’s place in Esau’s family. Genesis 36:4 states, “Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel.” Basemath is the mother of Reuel, one of Esau’s sons. Reuel’s family line appears later as chiefs among the Edomites, showing that Basemath’s line became part of the Edomite clans. Genesis 36:17 lists these descendants: “The sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom; they were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.”

Genesis 36 provides historical context and highlights God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:5: “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” Esau was not the child of promise; Jacob was. However, Esau’s marriage to Basemath helped establish the line that later became the nation of Edom. Esau’s descendants were another way God fulfilled His promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.

Later in the Old Testament, another woman named Basemath appears in a list of Solomon’s officials. 1 Kings 4:15 calls her a daughter of Solomon: “Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he had married Basemath, daughter of Solomon).” This Basemath is not Esau’s wife. The passage provides no details about her beyond her marriage to Ahimaaz. This Basemath lived about 900 years after the one mentioned in Genesis.

The Basemath mentioned in Genesis stands out because the Bible provides more context about her life. Her importance to Israel’s story comes from her connection to Esau’s family. Moreover, as one of Esau’s wives, she became part of the lineage that produced the Edomites. Her appearance also creates tension between Esau’s marriage choices and God’s covenant with Abraham’s family (Genesis 12:1–3). In these ways, Basemath’s story indirectly intersects with God’s covenant—a central theme of the Old Testament.