A place where Joseph found his brothers and was sold.
Dothan
Named in 2 verses across 2 books, first in Genesis 37:17.
דֹּתָןDothan
The name means “the law; custom.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Dothan Written by AI
Dothan was a place located in the territory of Israel, mentioned in two significant events in the Bible. First, it was the place where Joseph found his brothers tending their flocks after being sent by his father, Israel (or 'Jacob') (Genesis 37:17). It was near Dothan that Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery to a caravan of Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt. Later, during the time of the prophet Elisha, the king of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha at Dothan (2Ki.6.13). God protected Elisha by revealing the presence of heavenly chariots and horses surrounding the city. Dothan was located near the major trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia, making it a strategic location for both commercial and military purposes.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Two wells, a famous pasture-ground where Joseph found his brethren watching their flocks. Here, at the suggestion of Judah, they sold him to the Ishmaelite merchants (Gen. 37:17). It is mentioned on monuments in B.C. 1600.
It was the residence of Elisha (2 Kings 6:13), and the scene of a remarkable vision of chariots and horses of fire surrounding the mountain on which the city stood. It is identified with the modern Tell-Dothan, on the south side of the plain of Jezreel, about 12 miles north of Samaria, among the hills of Gilboa. The “two wells” are still in existence, one of which bears the name of the “pit of Joseph” (Jubb Yusuf).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
32.421, 35.180 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Genesis 37:17
“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
- 2 Kings 6:13
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,”
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.