Dothan is a significant location in biblical history, mentioned primarily in the Old Testament. It is situated in the northern part of ancient Israel, approximately 12 miles north of Samaria and 10 miles southwest of the ancient city of Shechem. The site is identified with the modern-day Tell Dothan.

Biblical References:

1. Joseph and His Brothers:
Dothan is first mentioned in the context of the account of Joseph. In Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers had gone to pasture their father's flocks near Shechem. When Joseph was sent by his father, Jacob, to check on them, he found them in Dothan. It was here that his brothers conspired against him, leading to his being sold into slavery. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him" (Genesis 37:17-18).

2. Elisha and the Arameans:
Dothan is also the setting for a miraculous event involving the prophet Elisha. In 2 Kings 6, the king of Aram was at war with Israel and sought to capture Elisha, who was in Dothan. The Aramean army surrounded the city, but Elisha's servant was reassured by the prophet, who prayed for his eyes to be opened. The servant then saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. The Berean Standard Bible describes this scene: "And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17).

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Dothan's location made it a strategic site in ancient times, situated along a major trade route known as the Via Maris, which connected Egypt with Mesopotamia. This route's significance is underscored by the presence of the Ishmaelite traders who passed by Dothan and purchased Joseph from his brothers, as recorded in Genesis 37.

Archaeological excavations at Tell Dothan have revealed evidence of a settlement dating back to the Early Bronze Age, with significant remains from the Middle Bronze and Iron Ages. These findings include fortifications, pottery, and other artifacts that provide insight into the city's historical importance and its role in the biblical narrative.

Theological Significance:

Dothan serves as a backdrop for divine providence and protection in the biblical narrative. In the account of Joseph, Dothan is the place where God's plan for Joseph's life begins to unfold, despite the malicious intentions of his brothers. This event sets the stage for Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt and the preservation of the Israelite people during a time of famine.

In the account of Elisha, Dothan becomes a place where God's supernatural protection is vividly displayed. The opening of the servant's eyes to see the heavenly army serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence and sovereignty, even when circumstances appear dire.

Dothan's role in these narratives highlights themes of faith, divine intervention, and the unfolding of God's purposes through seemingly ordinary events and locations.Dothan

the law; custom

Dothan

(two wells), a place first mentioned (Genesis 37:17) in connection with the history of Joseph, and apparently as in the neighborhood of Shechem. It next appears as the residence of Elisha. (2 Kings 6:13) It was known to Eusebius, who places it 12 miles to the north of Sebaste (Samaria); and here it has been discovered in our own times, still bearing its ancient name unimpaired.

Dothan

Or DOTHAIN, the place where Josephus was sold to the Ishmaelites, Genesis 37:17, and where the Syrians were smitten with blindness at Elisha's word, 2 Kings 6:13. It was on the caravan-route from Syria to Egypt, about eleven miles north of Samaria.

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 (Genesis 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).

DOTHAN

do'-than (dothayin, dothan, "two wells," "double feast"; Dothaeim): A place to the North of Shechem whither Jacob's sons went for pasture for the flocks; where Joseph who followed them was sold to the Ishmaelites, after having been imprisoned in a "pit" (Genesis 37:17). Here in later days the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened to see the mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire," guarding his master from the encircling Syrians (2 Kings 6:13). This is certainly to be identified with Tell Dothan, which lies on the East of the ancient road leading from Gilead across Esdraelon to the seacoast, and thence to Egypt. It is about 5 miles to the Southwest of Jenin. There are some traces of old buildings, two cisterns-Dothayin or Dothayin = "two cisterns" or "pits"-and one copious spring. Excellent pasture is found in the surrounding plain, and on the adjoining slopes.

W. Ewing

1886. Dothan -- a place North of Samaria
... 1885, 1886. Dothan. 1887 . a place North of Samaria. Transliteration: Dothan
Phonetic Spelling: (do'-thawn) Short Definition: Dothan. ...
/hebrew/1886.htm - 6k

Great Surprises.
... Then the king of Syria enquired where this prophet lived, and was told that
he was then at Dothan. "Therefore sent he thither horses ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xxxviii great surprises.htm

Sight and Blindness
... And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.14. ... Dothan lay on an isolated
hill in a wide plain, and could easily be surrounded. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/sight and blindness.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... Can you tell me where I will find them?". And the man said, "They are at
Dothan; for I heard them say that they were going there.". ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And the man said, They are departed hence: for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan.
And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
... tell me, I beg of you, where they are pasturing the flock." The man said, "They
have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.htm

Providence
... Joseph goes; his brethren are in want of pasture, and therefore leave Shechem, where
Joseph expected to find them, and journey on to Dothan. Why go to Dothan? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/providence.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... to make away with the prophet, the Syrian king commanded, "Go and spy where he is,
that I may send and fetch him." The prophet was in Dothan; and, learning this ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... The Old Testament gives us three instances"Elisha's brave visions during the Syrian
blockade of Dothan and siege of Samaria; Isaiah, upon the solitary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Young Man! a Prayer for You
... Looking over the little walls of Dothan, he observed all the country round about
to be occupied by the horses and chariots of the king of Syria; and he cried ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/young man a prayer for.htm

The Expedition against Elisha
... And he said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And
it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/v the expedition against elisha.htm

Dothan (2 Occurrences)
... 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. ...DOTHAN. ...
/d/dothan.htm - 8k

Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:17 And the man saith, 'They have journeyed from this, for I have heard
some saying, Let us go to Dothan,' and Joseph goeth after his brethren, and ...
/j/journeyed.htm - 33k

Findeth (66 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:17 And the man saith, 'They have journeyed from this, for I have heard
some saying, Let us go to Dothan,' and Joseph goeth after his brethren, and ...
/f/findeth.htm - 26k

Let's (74 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:17 And the man said: 'They are departed hence; for I heard them say:
Let us go to Dothan.' And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in ...
/l/let's.htm - 27k

Removed (294 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 37:17 And the man said, They have
removed from this; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. ...
/r/removed.htm - 34k

Doting (5 Occurrences)

/d/doting.htm - 8k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... of Gehazi for his falsehood and his covetousness; of the recovery of the axe lost
in the waters of the Jordan (6:1-7); of the miracle at Dothan, half-way on ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Moved (316 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 37:17 And the man said, They have removed from this;
for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went ...
/m/moved.htm - 35k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... (4) In Samaria the mountains are extremely rugged, but a small plain near Dothan
adjoins that of Esdraelon, and another stretches East of Shechem, 2,500 ft. ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Dotaea
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DOTAEA. do-te'-a (the King James Version, incorrectly,
Judea; Dotaia): Another form of the name DOTHAN (which see). ...
/d/dotaea.htm - 6k

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