Goshen

The fertile region in northeastern Egypt where Jacob’s family settled and prospered for over four centuries. Goshen served as both a place of refuge during famine and, later, the staging ground for the Exodus.

When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers after years of separation, he urged them to bring their father Jacob and the entire family to Egypt, promising “you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me” (Genesis 45:10). This region, likely in the eastern Nile Delta near modern Wadi Tumilat, offered excellent pasturelands—ideal for the Israelites’ flocks and herds. Joseph strategically settled his family there, explaining to Pharaoh that “every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34), thus ensuring his family would live separately and maintain their distinct identity.

Pharaoh welcomed Jacob’s family, giving them “the best of the land of Egypt” and appointing some of Joseph’s brothers as “chief herdsmen” over the royal livestock (Genesis 47:6). The 70 people who entered Egypt multiplied dramatically in Goshen—by the Exodus, they numbered over 600,000 men plus women and children (Exodus 12:37). Their growth alarmed later pharaohs who “did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8), leading to enslavement.

Even during Israel’s bondage, Goshen retained special significance. During the plagues, God distinguished Goshen from the rest of Egypt—no swarms afflicted it (Exodus 8:22), no hail struck it (Exodus 9:26), and no darkness covered it (Exodus 10:23). This divine protection demonstrated God’s sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness to Abraham’s descendants. From Goshen, Moses led the Israelites to freedom, beginning the journey to the Promised Land.