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What is Goshen in the Bible?

The region of Egypt where Jacob's family settled and which God spared from plagues.

Goshen is the name of more than one place in the Bible. The best known is the land of Goshen in Egypt, where Jacob's family settled.

Goshen in the Bible

Joseph tells his father to dwell there near him with his children, flocks and herds (Genesis 45:10), and he rides out in his chariot to meet Israel in Goshen (Genesis 46:29). Because shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians, the brothers are told to present themselves as keepers of cattle so that they may live in Goshen (Genesis 46:34). Pharaoh grants them the best of the land there (Genesis 47:6), and Israel grows and multiplies exceedingly in that country (Genesis 47:27).

During the plagues God sets Goshen apart, so that no swarms of flies come there (Exodus 8:22) and no hail falls where the children of Israel live (Exodus 9:26). A different country of Goshen lies in Canaan. Joshua strikes the land from Kadeshbarnea to Gaza and all the country of Goshen as far as Gibeon (Joshua 10:41), and he takes all the land of Goshen along with the hills and the south country (Joshua 11:16).

Goshen is also the name of a town listed with Holon and Giloh among the cities of Judah's inheritance (Joshua 15:51).

Role
Region in Egypt; also a region and a town in Canaan
First mention
Genesis 45:10
Appearances in the Bible
14 mentions

Questions about Goshen

What is Goshen in the Bible?

Goshen is the name of more than one place in the Bible. The best known is the land of Goshen in Egypt, where Jacob's family settled. Joseph tells his father to dwell there near him with his children, flocks and herds (Genesis 45:10), and he rides out in his chariot to meet Israel in Goshen (Genesis 46:29). Because shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians, the brothers are told to present themselves as keepers of cattle so that they may live in Goshen (Genesis 46:34). Pharaoh grants them the best of the land there (Genesis 47:6), and Israel grows and multiplies exceedingly in that country (Genesis 47:27). During the plagues God sets Goshen apart, so that no swarms of flies come there (Exodus 8:22) and no hail falls where the children of Israel live (Exodus 9:26). A different country of Goshen lies in Canaan. Joshua strikes the land from Kadeshbarnea to Gaza and all the country of Goshen as far as Gibeon (Joshua 10:41), and he takes all the land of Goshen along with the hills and the south country (Joshua 11:16). Goshen is also the name of a town listed with Holon and Giloh among the cities of Judah's inheritance (Joshua 15:51).

Where is Goshen first mentioned in the Bible?

Goshen is first mentioned in Genesis 45:10.

How many times is Goshen mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 14.