(anc. geog.), 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, Gofhem, 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 Upper 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. xlvii. 28). It is certain that this country lay between Palestine and the city of Tanais, and that the allotment of the Hebrews reached southward as far as the Nile, (Joth. xiii. 3.).