Goshen

(1.) A district in Egypt where Jacob and his family settled, and in which they remained till the Exodus (Gen. 45:10; 46:28, 29, 31, etc.). It is called “the land of Goshen” (47:27), and also simply “Goshen” (46:28), and “the land of Rameses” (47:11; Ex. 12:37), for the towns Pithom and Rameses lay within its borders; also Zoan or Tanis (Ps. 78:12). It lay on the east of the Nile, and apparently not far from the royal residence. It was “the best of the land” (Gen. 47:6, 11), but is now a desert. It is first mentioned in Joseph’s message to his father. It has been identified with the modern Wady Tumilat, lying between the eastern part of the Delta and the west border of Palestine. It was a pastoral district, where some of the king’s cattle were kept (Gen. 47:6). The inhabitants were not exclusively Israelites (Ex. 3:22; 11:2; 12:35, 36). (2.) A district in Palestine (Josh. 10:41; 11:16). It was a part of the maritime plain of Judah, and lay between Gaza and Gibeon. (3.) A town in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 15:51).

GO'SHEN. The portion of Egypt assigned to Israel. Gen 45:5, Gen 45:10; Gen 46:28; Gen 47:27-50:8. It probably bordered on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, hence called Zoan or Tauis, Ps 78:12, and reached from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. It was suited to shepherds, abounded in vegetables. It contained the treasure-cities Rameses and Pithom, Goshen was near the royal capital. Gen 48:1-2; Ex 5:20; appears to have been the starting place of the Israelites in their journey to the Land of Promise. Ex 12:37-38. A district in Palestine, perhaps between Gibeon and Gaza. Josh 10:41; Num 11:16. A city in the hill-country of Judah, Josh 15:51; perhaps now Sekiyeh.

approaching; drawing near