Goshen (1)
Joseph's Invitation to Settle
When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and invited his father Jacob to come to Egypt, he specifically directed them to settle in the land of Goshen. Joseph told his brothers, "You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me" (Genesis 45:10). He chose this region because it was suitable for the pastoral lifestyle of Jacob's family: "The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen" (Genesis 47:6). Pharaoh confirmed the arrangement and even suggested that capable men among them be put in charge of the royal livestock.
Geography and Location
Goshen was located in the eastern part of the Nile Delta, east of the Bubastic branch of the river. It is generally identified with the region known to the Greeks as the "Arabian nome," roughly corresponding to the modern Wadi Tumeilat area. The region covered approximately 900 square miles, including two important valleys and the fertile land between them. Psalm 78:12, 43 identifies it with "the field of Zoan," connecting it to the area around the ancient city of Tanis (Zoan). Genesis 47:11 calls it "the land of Rameses," a name that may reflect the later construction of the store-city of Raamses in the region.
A Land of Pastoral Abundance
Goshen was ideally suited for the Israelites' needs. It provided excellent pastureland for their flocks and herds (Genesis 46:34; 47:1, 4, 6, 27). The region was fertile enough for agriculture yet somewhat removed from the main centers of Egyptian power, allowing the Israelites to maintain their distinct identity and customs. The text emphasizes that "Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly" (Genesis 47:27).
Goshen During the Plagues
During the plagues that struck Egypt before the Exodus, Goshen was notably spared. Beginning with the plague of flies, God declared, "I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there" (Exodus 8:22). Similarly, the plague of hail did not fall on Goshen (Exodus 9:26). This divine protection of Goshen during the plagues served as a visible demonstration of God's distinction between His people and the Egyptians, and as evidence of His sovereign power over the land.
From Goshen to the Exodus
The Israelites remained in Goshen throughout the period of their growth and eventual enslavement. It was from Goshen that they departed on the night of the Exodus, beginning their journey toward the Red Sea and ultimately the promised land. After the Exodus, Goshen is not mentioned again in connection with Israel. The name appears in Joshua 10:41 and 11:16 referring to a different region in southern Palestine, and in Joshua 15:51 as a city in the hill country of Judah.
Israel's Transformation in Goshen
The centuries in Goshen transformed Israel from an extended family of about seventy people (Genesis 46:27) into a nation of perhaps two million. This dramatic population growth fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Yet the same prosperity that marked their early years in Goshen gave way to oppression under a pharaoh "who did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8). The fertile land that had nourished their growth became the setting for their slavery, until God intervened to deliver them.
Biblical Context
Goshen is first mentioned in Genesis 45:10 when Joseph directs his family there. It appears throughout the Joseph narrative (Genesis 46:28-34; 47:1-6, 27; 50:8) and during the Exodus account (Exodus 8:22; 9:26). The name 'land of Rameses' in Genesis 47:11 may refer to the same region. Psalm 78:12, 43 connects it to 'the field of Zoan.' A different Goshen in southern Palestine appears in Joshua 10:41, 11:16, and 15:51.
Theological Significance
Goshen illustrates God's providential care for His people. Joseph's ability to secure this land for his family was part of God's larger plan to preserve Israel during the famine and grow them into a great nation. The divine protection of Goshen during the plagues demonstrated God's ability to distinguish between His people and others, foreshadowing the broader biblical theme of God's elect being sheltered within a world under judgment. Goshen also represents the tension between comfort and calling: the Israelites had to leave their prosperous home to receive their inheritance.
Historical Background
Archaeological evidence from the eastern Nile Delta confirms the presence of Semitic-speaking peoples in this region during various periods. The site of Tell el-Dab'a (ancient Avaris) in the eastern Delta has yielded extensive evidence of Asiatic settlement, including Canaanite-style pottery, houses, and burial practices from the Middle Bronze Age. The Wadi Tumeilat, which runs through the heart of the proposed Goshen region, shows evidence of irrigation and settlement consistent with the biblical description. Egyptian texts confirm that it was common policy to allow foreign pastoral groups to settle in the eastern Delta to graze their flocks, particularly during times of drought in Canaan.