Goshen (1)
LocationsGeographical Setting
Goshen was a fertile district in the eastern Nile Delta historically associated with the settlement of Semitic peoples during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages.
What is the meaning of Goshen (1) in the Bible?
Goshen denotes a region in the eastern Nile Delta, traditionally identified with the land of the Hebrews during their sojourn in Egypt. Geographically, it corresponds to the Wadi Tumilat area, situated between the Pelusiac branch of the Nile and the Mediterranean coast, characterized by its suitability for pastoralism and agriculture.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Goshen with the Wadi Tumilat clarifies the logistical feasibility of the biblical narrative regarding the concentration of Israelite populations in a distinct, fertile zone separate from the central Egyptian administrative centers, thereby grounding the Exodus account in recognizable historical geography.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.