28. Of what value have the lands of Bashan and Gilead been agriculturally, and how were these regions involved in Bible history?

²⁸ “The side of the Jordan toward the east” rises rapidly from the Rift Valley to form a series of tablelands. (Josh. 18:7; 13:9-12; 20:8)

Next, to the south, there lies the land of Gilead (E-2), the lower half of which was assigned to the tribe of Gad. (Josh. 13:24, 25) A mountainous region reaching to 3,300 feet [1,000 m], watered by good rains in the winter and heavy dews in the summer, it was also good livestock country and was specially renowned for its balsam. Today it is noted for its choice grapes. (Num. 32:1; Gen. 37:25; Jer. 46:11) It was to the land of Gilead that David fled from Absalom, and in the western part, Jesus preached in “the regions of Decapolis.”​—2 Sam. 17:26-29; Mark 7:31.