GOSHEN, in Ancient Geography, a canton of
Egypt, which Joseph procured for his father and his
brethren when they came to dwell in Egypt. It was
the most fruitful part of the country: and its name
seems to be derived from the Hebrew, Geshem, which
signifies "rain;" because this province lying very near
the Mediterranean, was exposed to rains, which were
very rare in other cantons, and more especially in Up-
per Egypt. Calmet does not question but that Goshen,
which Joshua (x. 41. xi. 16. xv. 51.) makes part of
the tribe of Judah, is the same as the land of Goshen,
which was given to Jacob and his sons by Pharaoh
king of Egypt; (Gen. xlv. 28.). It is certain that
this country lay between Palestine and the city of Ta-
nais, and that the allotment of the Hebrews reached
southward as far as the Nile, (Josh. xiii. 3.).