Goshen
Summary
A fertile region in northeastern Egypt where the Israelites dwelt during their sojourn in that land, from the time of Joseph until the Exodus.
☩Location and Character
Goshen was located on the eastern side of the Nile delta, bordering on Arabia and the Sinai wilderness. The region was particularly suited for a pastoral people, being excellent grazing land for flocks and herds. It was also called 'the land of Rameses' and corresponded roughly to the area known to the Greeks as the Arabian nome. Though considered 'the best of the land' for shepherding, it was somewhat distinct from Egypt proper, which explains why the Israelites could maintain their separate identity there for generations.
☩Settlement and Prosperity
When the famine drove Jacob's family to Egypt, Joseph arranged for them to settle in Goshen, where they would be near him yet separate from the main Egyptian population. Pharaoh approved this arrangement, noting that some of his own cattle grazed there and offering to place capable Israelites over his herds. In this fertile region the Israelites 'were fruitful and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty,' growing from seventy persons to a great nation.
☩The Plagues and Exodus
During the plagues upon Egypt, the land of Goshen was specifically exempted from several of the judgments, demonstrating God's power to distinguish between His people and the Egyptians. No flies swarmed in Goshen, the livestock of Israel were untouched by pestilence, and no hail fell there. From Goshen the Israelites departed for Canaan, traveling eastward through Succoth toward the Red Sea.
☩Other Places Named Goshen
Besides the Egyptian territory, Scripture mentions a district in the southern part of Palestine conquered by Joshua, and a town in the highlands of Judah. These may have been named in remembrance of Israel's original place of sojourn in Egypt.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Goshen," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Goshen (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Goshen," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Goshen," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).