Difference between revisions of "Goshen"

<p> &nbsp;1. Three Egyptian homes in the Delta, and extending over part of Goshen, bore a name beginning with ka or ga, "a bull," namely, Mnevis, worshipped at On, representing [[Turn]] the unknown source of all existence. N.E. of Lower Egypt, having the [[Mediterranean]] on N., the desert on E., the Delta and the Tanitic branch of the Nile on W. (hence called the field of Zoan or Tanis, &nbsp;Psalms 78:12; &nbsp;Psalms 78:43), extending S. to the head of the Red Sea and nearly to Memphis. Also called the land of Rameses, in which [[Israel]] built (i.e. fortified anew) for [[Pharaoh]] [[Raamses]] and Pithom as treasure cities (&nbsp;Genesis 47:11; &nbsp;Exodus 1:11). Joseph naturally placed his family on the border land between Egypt and Palestine, the promised land, and at the same time near himself at [[Tunis]] or else [[Memphis]] the capital of Egypt. Goshen corresponded to Wady-'t-Tumeylat. </p> <p> The fresh water canal runs through it from the Nile to Ismailia. From [[El]] [[Wady]] to the head of the gulf of [[Suez]] is three days' journey, the distance assigned in Exodus. The answer of Joseph's brethren to Pharaoh (&nbsp;Genesis 46:28; &nbsp;Genesis 46:34), "thy servants have been herdsmen from our youth," (Joseph so instructing them "that ye may dwell in ... Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians,") proves that Goshen was regarded by [[Egyptians]] as scarcely Egypt proper, though having many Egyptians in it, as is recorded during the ten plagues; also foreigners. (See &nbsp;BERIAH.) The names of sonic places in Goshen are Semitic, as [[Migdol]] and Baal-zephon. Joseph lived under the 12th or 13th dynasty, a native not a shepherd dynasty (as &nbsp;Genesis 46:34 proves). </p> <p> Pharaoh calls Goshen "the best of the land" (&nbsp;Genesis 47:5-11), namely, for a pastoral people as Israel; for in tillage the parts of Egypt next the Nile are more fertile than Goshen. In Goshen Pharaoh implies he kept some of his cattle, over which he proposes to set [[Israelites]] as rulers of herdsmen. The separation of Israel from the plagues marks the distinctness of the land. Israel setting out from Rameses in Goshen in two days reached the edge of the Wilderness, and in one day more the Red Sea, i.e. from Rameses (on the old canal from the Tanitic arm of the Nile to lake Timsah) 30 miles direct to the ancient western shore. The Septuagint call Goshen "Gesen of Arabia;" and Pliny "the Arabic nome" from its bordering on Arabia. Now Esh-Shurkiyeh, well intersected by canals; Egypt's best province, yielding the largest revenue. </p> <p> &nbsp;2. A district in S. Palestine, between [[Gaza]] and [[Gibeon]] (&nbsp;Joshua 10:41; &nbsp;Joshua 11:16), and a city (&nbsp;Joshua 15:51); between the S. country (the Negeb) and the &nbsp;shephelah (the low hills between the mountain and plain, not as KJV "the valley ") of Judah. [[Doubtless]] named in remembrance of Israel's original place of sojourn in Egypt. </p>

<p> 1. The name of the tract of country in Egypt which was inhabited by the Israelites from the time of [[Jacob]] to that of Moses. It was probably the tract lying east of the Pelusian arm of the Nile, towards Arabia. See &nbsp;Exodus 1:22 &nbsp; 2:3 , since the [[Jews]] ate fish in abundance, &nbsp;Numbers 11:5 , and "practiced artificial irrigation", &nbsp;Deuteronomy 11:10 . It was near [[Heliopolis]] and Rameses, and not far from the capital of Egypt, &nbsp;Genesis 45:10 &nbsp; 47:11 &nbsp; Exodus 8:1-12:51 . It was a part of "the best of the land," at least for the pastoral Hebrews, &nbsp;Genesis 46:34 , and was evidently better watered and more fertile than at present. Here they greatly multiplied and prospered, &nbsp;Genesis 47:27 , and here they were sorely afflicted, and yet not forgotten of God, &nbsp;Exodus 8:22 &nbsp; 9:26 . Many Egyptians dwelt among and around them. </p> <p> 2. A city and the adjacent territory in the mountains of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 10:41 &nbsp; 11:16 &nbsp; 15:51 . </p>

<p> &nbsp;Goshen (&nbsp;gô'shen). 1. The portion of Egypt assigned to Israel. &nbsp;Genesis 45:5; &nbsp;Genesis 45:10; &nbsp;Genesis 46:28; &nbsp;Genesis 47:27; &nbsp;Genesis 50:8. It probably bordered on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, hence called Zoan or Tanis, &nbsp;Psalms 78:12, and reached from the Mediterranean to the Red sea. It was suited to shepherds, and abounded in vegetables. It contained the treasure-cities Rameses and Pithom. Goshen was near the royal capital, &nbsp;Genesis 47:27 compared with 48:1, 2; &nbsp;Exodus 5:20; appears to have been the starting-place of the Israelites in their journey to the land of promise. &nbsp;Exodus 12:37; &nbsp;Exodus 38:2. A district in Palestine, perhaps between Gibeon and Gaza. &nbsp;Joshua 10:41; &nbsp;Joshua 11:16. 3. A city in the hill-country of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 15:51. </p>

<p> 1. The part of Egypt in which the Israelites were located. It is often called 'the land of Goshen,' and is also termed 'the land of Rameses.' Pharaoh bade Joseph place his father and his brethren in the best of the land. It is generally supposed that Goshen was situated on the east of the ancient Delta of the Nile. &nbsp;Genesis 45:10; &nbsp;Genesis 46:28,29,34; &nbsp;Genesis 47:1,4,6,11,27; &nbsp;Genesis 50:8; &nbsp;Exodus 8:22; &nbsp;Exodus 9:26 . </p> <p> &nbsp;2. Land or district in the southern part of Palestine. &nbsp; Joshua 10:41; &nbsp;Joshua 11:16 . Not identified. </p> <p> &nbsp;3. Town in the highlands of Judah. &nbsp; Joshua 15:51 . Not identified. </p>

<p> Goshen was the territory where the family of Jacob settled in Egypt. It was in the East Nile Delta and was suitable for raising flocks and herds (&nbsp;Genesis 47:1-6). The descendants of Jacob lived there for about four hundred years, and during that time they multiplied enormously. The royal city of Rameses, which the Egyptians forced the Israelites to build by slave labour, was in Goshen (&nbsp;Genesis 47:6; &nbsp;Genesis 47:11; &nbsp;Genesis 47:27; &nbsp;Exodus 1:11; &nbsp;Exodus 12:37). Goshen was largely protected from the plagues that fell on other parts of Egypt during the time of Moses’ conflict with Pharaoh (&nbsp;Exodus 8:22; &nbsp;Exodus 9:26). (See also &nbsp;EGYPT.) </p>

<p> Perhaps so called from Goshen, rain, or the dew of heaven in blessings. For this place being nearer to the Mediterranean sea than Upper Egypt, had plentiful showers to make it fertile. Here it was Jacob and his children dwelt, when brought down into Egypt. (&nbsp;&nbsp;Genesis 47:1-6) Perhaps there might have been even in those days, a remote idea to the times of the gospel in the name of Goshen; for even now in the present hour, that is truly a land of Goshen where Christ is truly known, and where heaven hath shed and is shedding its blessed influences, in the showers of his [[Holy]] Spirit; while all the earth is as Egypt in the dryness, where no rains are known, and where the gospel of Christ is not. </p>

<li> A town in the mountains of Judah (&nbsp;Joshua 15:51 ). <div> <p> &nbsp;Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated [[Bible]] Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> &nbsp;Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'Goshen'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/g/goshen.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> &nbsp;Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Goshen'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/g/goshen.html. [[Harper]] & Brothers. New York. 1870. </p>