Ezekiel 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.