גֹּשֶׁן
𐤂𐤔𐤍
Goshen
H1657 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Goshen is primarily a toponym referring to the northeastern region of Egypt given to the Israelites as their dwelling place during their sojourn in Egypt (Genesis 45:10; 46:28, 34; Exodus 8:22), noted for its fertility and suitability for livestock. In a separate context, 'Goshen' also refers to a district in the territory of Judah (Joshua 10:41; 11:16; 15:51), distinct from the Egyptian region. The term designates distinct geographical locations, usually associated with abundance or pastureland.
Semantic Range
land in Egypt settled by the Israelites, fertile/pasture land, district or region in Judah (southern hill country); specific proper name for places
Root / Etymology
Most likely of Egyptian origin, etymology uncertain. The form גֹּשֶׁן does not correspond to any identifiable Semitic root and is believed to be a loanword from ancient Egyptian, possibly related to an Egyptian word for 'cultivated land' or 'inundated area,' though the precise source is debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Torah, 'Goshen' designates the area in Egypt where the Israelites settled during Joseph's time, depicted as a secure and productive land separated from the main Egyptian population. This region is sometimes called 'the land of Rameses' (Genesis 47:11). Later biblical references (Joshua 10:41, 15:51) mention a district called Goshen in the southern hills of Judah, implying that the name was reused for multiple locations, possibly because of similar environmental characteristics. The Septuagint transliterates the name as Γεσὲμ (Gesem); later English translations consistently render it 'Goshen.' No known link exists to the later region of Judea or to religious identities. The Egyptian context is restricted to the patriarchal period in biblical tradition, while the Judahite reference reflects a different historical-geographical context. The name does not convey ethnic or religious meanings beyond its geographic referent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of Egyptian origin; Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine; Goshen.
Bantu Hebrew
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גֹּשֶׁן (Gōšen) — proper place-name; fertile region; pasture land (etymology uncertain, likely Egyptian)
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1657-01 |
גֹּ֗שֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen | 11 |
H1657-02 |
גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה | goshenah | HNp/Sd |
Goshen | Goshen-ward | 2 |
H1657-03 |
הַ/גֹּ֔שֶׁן | hagoshen | HTd/Np |
of Goshen | the Goshen | 1 |
H1657-04 |
וְ/גֹ֥שֶׁן | vegoshen | HC/Np |
and Goshen | and Goshen | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1657-01 |
Genesis 45:10 | גֹּ֗שֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-02 |
Genesis 46:28 | גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה | goshenah | HNp/Sd |
Goshen | Goshen-ward |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 46:28 | גֹּֽשֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-02 |
Genesis 46:29 | גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה | goshenah | HNp/Sd |
Goshen | Goshen-ward |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 46:34 | גֹּ֔שֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 47:1 | גֹּֽשֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 47:4 | גֹּֽשֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 47:6 | גֹּ֔שֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 47:27 | גֹּ֑שֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |
H1657-01 |
Genesis 50:8 | גֹּֽשֶׁן | goshen | HNp |
of Goshen | Goshen |