Original Word: גּשֶׁן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Goshen
Pronunciation: GO-shen
Phonetic Spelling: (go'-shen)
KJV: Goshen
NASB: Goshen
Word Origin: [probably of Egyptian origin]

1. Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt
2. also a place in Israel

Goshen

Probably of Egyptian origin; Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine -- Goshen.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a district in Eg., also a city in S. Judah
NASB Translation
Goshen (15).

גּ֫שֶׁן proper name, of a location (on etymology compare Di Genesis 45:10) —

1 district in Egypt east of lower Nile, see Eb^{GS 500 ff.}; Naville^{Goshen, 1887,} who reads hieroglyphics Kesem, but compare Groff^{JAs xiv. 527} (ᵐ5 Γεσεμ (Ἀραβιας)) — אֶרֶץ גּשֶׁן Genesis 45:10 (JE) Genesis 46:34; Genesis 47:1,4,6,27; Genesis 50:8; Exodus 8:18; Exodus 9:26 (all J); אַ֫רְצָה גּשֶׁן Genesis 46:28 (J), גּ֑שְׁנָה Genesis 46:28; Genesis 46:29 (both J), in both ᵐ5 καθ’ Ἡρώων πόλιν compare Di. (P has land רעמסס Genesis 47:11 etc., compare Di Genesis 45:10.

2 ארץ הַגּשֶׁן Joshua 11:16 (D), אֶרֶץ גּשֶׁן Joshua 10:41 (D), גּשֶׁן Joshua 15:51 (P) (ᵐ5 in all Γοσομ) a city named with חֹלֹן & גִּלֹה compare Di. — not clearly located, but on southern border of Judah.

Geographical Setting

Goshen designates two distinct regions in Scripture. The foremost is a fertile tract in the eastern Nile Delta of Egypt, bounded by the Goshen Sea‐branch on the north and Wadi Tumilat on the south, ideal for grazing flocks. A second, smaller Goshen (Joshua 10:41; Joshua 11:16; Joshua 15:51) lies in southern Canaan, probably on the northern slope of the Judean hill country. The dual usage points to the name’s transference by migrating Israelites who later recognized a resemblance between the Palestinian uplands and the delta pastures in which their fathers had thrived.

Goshen in the Joseph Narrative

When Joseph’s identity was revealed, he urged his father: “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen and be near me—you, your children, and your grandchildren” (Genesis 45:10). Pharaoh immediately ratified the proposal (Genesis 45:17–20), assigning Jacob’s clan to Egypt’s most suitable grazing territory. Genesis 46:28–34 records Jacob’s arrival, highlighting Goshen as the stage upon which Israel’s family of seventy “multiplied greatly and became exceedingly strong” (Genesis 47:27).

A Place of Provision and Separation

Goshen’s rich pasturage safeguarded Israel from Egypt’s severe famine while keeping the family distinct from Egyptian life. Shepherds were “loathsome to the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34), so Goshen functioned as a divinely arranged buffer. The people benefited from Egypt’s resources yet remained culturally and spiritually intact, preserving covenant identity for the coming centuries.

Distinctive Protection During the Plagues

The Lord underscored His covenant choice during the plague cycle. “On that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people dwell, so that no swarms of flies will be there” (Exodus 8:22). Again, “Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was there no hail” (Exodus 9:26). These miraculous exemptions testified that Israel belonged to Yahweh and foreshadowed the final deliverance at Passover.

God’s Covenant Faithfulness Displayed

Goshen became a living proof that God “remembers His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8). What began with a promise to Abraham of a great nation (Genesis 12:2) matured in Goshen as the family grew into a populous people. Four hundred years later the Exodus would transfer that nation to Canaan, fulfilling the next phase of divine promise.

Foreshadowing Redemption

Goshen anticipates the Gospel pattern of grace. A gracious ruler (Joseph) prepares a place for his family so that judgment (famine and later plagues) passes over them. The motif echoes Jesus’ words, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). As Goshen sheltered Israel until the appointed exodus, so believers abide in Christ until the consummate deliverance.

Goshen Revisited in the Conquest Narratives

Joshua’s southern campaign swept “from Kadesh‐barnea to Gaza, and all the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon” (Joshua 10:41). The mention of a Canaanite Goshen marks the boundaries of Israel’s inheritance. Later, Joshua 15:51 assigns a town named Goshen to Judah’s hill country. While unrelated geographically to the Egyptian delta, the recurrence recalls God’s faithfulness: the nation that once entered Goshen as guests now claims a homeland bearing the same name.

Theological and Ministry Implications

• Separation without isolation: Goshen illustrates how God can situate His people within a hostile culture yet preserve holiness.
• Shepherd imagery: The shepherd identity maintained in Goshen prefigures the Messiah as the Good Shepherd.
• Missional comfort: As Egypt recognized Joseph’s God through Goshen’s blessings, so contemporary ministry strives for visible testimony within surrounding societies.
• Assurance amid judgment: The spared land during the plagues encourages believers to trust divine protection, whether temporal or eternal, when judgment falls.

Goshen’s fifteen biblical references weave a single theme: in every era God provides a place of grace, protection, and preparation for His people, ensuring that His redemptive purposes move forward unhindered.

גֹּ֑שְׁנָה גֹּ֑שֶׁן גֹּ֔שֶׁן גֹּ֖שֶׁן גֹּ֗שֶׁן גֹּֽשֶׁן׃ גשן גשן׃ גשנה הַגֹּ֔שֶׁן הגשן וְגֹ֥שֶׁן וגשן gō·šə·nāh gō·šen gōšen gōšənāh Goshen Goshenah hag·gō·šen haggōšen hagGoshen veGoshen wə·ḡō·šen wəḡōšenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts