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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

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain uncertain (toponym; no Semitic root attested)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1657-01 גֹּ֗שֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen 11
H1657-02 גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה goshenah HNp/Sd Goshen Goshen-ward Goshen 2
H1657-03 הַ/גֹּ֔שֶׁן hagoshen HTd/Np of Goshen the Goshen the Goshen 1
H1657-04 וְ/גֹ֥שֶׁן vegoshen HC/Np and Goshen and Goshen and Goshen 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1657-01 Genesis 45:10 גֹּ֗שֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-02 Genesis 46:28 גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה goshenah HNp/Sd Goshen Goshen-ward Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 46:28 גֹּֽשֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-02 Genesis 46:29 גֹּ֑שְׁנָ/ה goshenah HNp/Sd Goshen Goshen-ward Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 46:34 גֹּ֔שֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 47:1 גֹּֽשֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 47:4 גֹּֽשֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 47:6 גֹּ֔שֶׁן goshen HNp Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 47:27 גֹּ֑שֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Genesis 50:8 גֹּֽשֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Exodus 8:18 גֹּ֗שֶׁן goshen HNp Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Exodus 9:26 גֹּ֔שֶׁן goshen HNp Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-01 Joshua 10:41 גֹּ֖שֶׁן goshen HNp of Goshen Goshen Goshen
H1657-03 Joshua 11:16 הַ/גֹּ֔שֶׁן hagoshen HTd/Np of Goshen the Goshen the Goshen
H1657-04 Joshua 15:51 וְ/גֹ֥שֶׁן vegoshen HC/Np and Goshen and Goshen and Goshen
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