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natives. The other parts of the kingdom were immediately occupied. But pasturage being contrary to the taste of the Egyptians, this particular region lay in great measure neglected. Hence we have a satisfactory reason afforded for the Israelites finding such easy ac cess into the country, so as not only to dwell in it, but to have the land of Goshen given them for a possession, even the best of the land of Egypt.---And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had pos sessions therein. Gen. xlvii. 27. AgainAnd Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. chap. xlvii. 11.

Concerning the Purport of the Name.

I once imagined, that the term Goshen was a variation of the name, >, Cushan; and that the region was so called from the sons of Chus, who once resided there. But a learned friend told me, that he thought the true etymology was from the Arabian word Gush, a

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* The reverend and learned Mr Costard.

tongue; and that the land was so denomi nated from its tongue-like form. It is certain that this part of Egypt was at times described under the semblance of a 'pear and an heart, and also of a tongue. All these objects have some analogy in their shape, beginning at a point, and swelling out towards their base. Hence this region is said to have been called Rib and Rab, a pear; and an heart over burning coals is mentioned as its particular emblem. It was also described as a tongue, which was a familiar image for lands pointed and projecting, as this did. * Cæsar speaks

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Riph. quo nomine hodieque Delta, seu pars Ægypti triquetra Nili ostiis comprehensa, vocatur a pyri formâ. Id enim proprie est Rib. see Bochart Phaleg. 1. 1. c. 15. p. 59. Ab Alcairo Rosetam oram vocant Erriphiam, (quasi Ai Rif) vei terra pyriformis. Leo Africanus, 1. 8. p. 666.

It is called at this day Rif by the Arabians. Niebuher Voyage, T. 1. p. 194.

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154..

HT, Cardia. See Coptic Lexicon by Mr Woide, p.

A and He, cor.--Orus Apollo, 1. 1. c. 22. p. 39.

3 Sometimes inlets of the sea are called tongues; but generally the term is adapted to a narrow slip of land, or isthmus. 4 De Bello Gallico, 1. 3. c. 12. p. 102.

-latus angustum jam se cogentis in arctum Hesperiæ tenuem producit in æquora linguam, Lucan. 1. 2. v. 613.

of towns situated upon such points of land, and stiles them---oppida posita in extremis linguis promontorii. The opinion therefore of my learned friend appears to be founded in truth, and the land of Goshen seems to have received this name from its form and situation, and signified a tongue-like promontory". And not only Goshen, but a great part of Lower Egypt, may have been comprehended under this emblem. This is countenanced by a passage in Isaiah, hitherto not well understood, which it explains, and at the same time is confirmed by it. -The Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod. Chap. xi. 15.

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Tenuem linguam, terram tenuem exporrectam in linguæ formam. Sulpitii Comment. in Lucanum.

Lingua promontorii genus. Festus.

Eustath.

the furthest point of Africa, called by Dionysius πυμάτην γλώχινα. ν. 184. ακραν γλωχίνα, ὁ εσι γωνία. Ibid.

The Nile was stiled Oceanus. Οι Αιγύπτιοι νομίζεσιν Ωκε εμνον είναι τον παρ' αυτοις Νειλον. Diodorus Sic. 1. 1. p. 12. Τον δε ποταμον αρχαιοτατον μεν ονομα σκειν read, Ωκεανην, ός εσιν ἑλληνίςι ωκεανος, Ibid.

p.

Ωκεαμήν, or as some

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Different Opinions considered.

Some have thought that the sea mentioned by Isaiah was the Red-sea; and among those of this opinion was the learned Bishop Lowth. But the force and peculiarity of the prophecy is greatly prejudiced by this application. The Red-sea lay at a distance from the land of the Mizraim, and was of great extent, so that it was inhabited on each side by various independent nations. The upper part was possessed by the Midianites, Edomites, and Nabatheans, also by different tribes of Arabians. In the times of the Ptolemies some towns were built near the most northern recess, but, for want of water and other necessaries, they soon sunk to ruin, and their situation cannot easily be ascertained. But, in the time of Isaiah, we have no reason to think that the Egyptians had a single town upon this part of the sinus. And if they had, yet we can hardly suppose that the inhabitants, and the nook upon which they stood, were the great objects to which the prophet alluded.

It is well known that the Nile increased in the summer, and for some months overflowed

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the whole country. The region about Delta particularly appeared like a vast sea, and the principal towns and cities became so many islands; and all communication was carried on by ships and boats. Hence the river, as I have before mentioned, had the name of Oceanus, or the sea, and was a sure guard to the whole region, which was hereby rendered impregnable. The seven streams were at all times a strong barrier, in which the people placed their chief security. And of all the cities, that at the point or tongue of Delta was particularly fortified, as commanding the passage by water between Upper and Lower Egypt. The prophet therefore says, that this tongue of the sea shall be ruined, however it may seem secured by the surrounding waters. For the Lord would with a mighty (southern) wind force these waters downwards; by which means the seven channels should become empty and dry; so that people should pass over without wetting their feet. Hence the king and people should be brought to ruin by being deprived of their chief defence, in which they blindly trusted. The prophet Ezekiel is accordingly ordered to set his face against Pha

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! Herod. 1. 2. c. 97.
p. 147.

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* Diodorus, l. 1. p. 17.

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