Eze 30:17. A town in Lower Egypt. In hieroglyphics Bahest, Habahest (the abode of Bahest the goddess), Greek Boubastos. On the western bank of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile. The temple of the goddess Bubastis (Bahest), of the finest red granite, (of which fine remains exist) Herodotus declared the most beautiful he knew; in the midst of the city, which being raised on mounds overlooked it on every side. The names of Rameses II of the 19th dynasty, etc., are inscribed; also Shishak the conqueror of Rehoboam. Bast is Pesht, the goddess of fire.

A lion headed figure accompanies her, the cat was sacred to her. The Greek Artemis corresponds; at Benihassan is her cave temple, with the lioness, "Pesht the lady of the cave." The annual festival was very popular and licentious (Herodot. 2:59-60,137). The 22nd dynasty consisted of Bubastite kings, beginning about 990 B.C. Ezekiel couples it with Aven (On or Heliopolis) as on the route of an invader from the N.E. marching against Memphis. Manetho mentions a chasm opening in the earth and swallowing up many in the time of Boethos or Bochos, first king of the second dynasty, 2470 B.C.

Pi-bes'eth

Place whose young men were to fall by the sword and others be carried into captivity, mentioned in the judgement of God upon Egypt, Eze 30:17. Judged to be the city Bubastis on the west bank of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile. Its ruins at Tell Basta, 30 35' N, 31 30' E, attest its ancient grandeur; pieces of the finest red granite are there, which apparently formed part of a temple.

Pi-be'seth,

a town of lower Egypt, mentioned in

Eze 30:17

the same as Bubastis, so named from the goddess Bubastis. It was situated on the west bank of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, about 40 miles front Memphis. It was probably a city of great importance when Ezekiel foretold its doom.