Location
Overview
Dothan lay in the green hill country north of Shechem, on a caravan route toward Egypt. Two great scenes of Scripture unfold there.
Joseph sold into slavery
Sent to find his brothers, Joseph was told, "they are departed hence... Let us go to Dothan" (Genesis 37:17). There his brothers cast him into a pit and then sold him to Ishmaelite traders bound for Egypt — the act that, in God's providence, would one day save the family (Genesis 37:24–28).
The chariots of fire
Centuries later Elisha lived at Dothan when the king of Syria sent an army to seize him. His frightened servant saw only the enemy, until "the LORD opened the eyes of the young man... and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:13–17).
Events Here
Joseph's brothers sell him to traders at Dothan
Scripture References
2 versesGenesis1 verse
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 Dothan.
2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 6:13
And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
Archaeology & History
Tell Dothan, a large mound in the northern West Bank, has been excavated to reveal continuous occupation from the Bronze Age onward, fitting its biblical role as an established town on the trade route. Its surrounding pastures match the picture of Joseph's brothers grazing flocks far from home.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Dothan
Where is Dothan today?
Today, Dothan corresponds to Tell Dothan, West Bank.
What does the name Dothan mean?
The name Dothan means “Two wells / cisterns”.
What happened at Dothan in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Dothan include joseph's brothers sell him to traders at dothan.
Where is Dothan first mentioned in the Bible?
Dothan is first mentioned in Genesis 37:17.
How often is Dothan mentioned in the Bible?
Dothan is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: Genesis, 2 Kings.
What happened to Joseph at Dothan?
His brothers threw him into a pit there and sold him to passing Ishmaelite/Midianite traders, who took him down to Egypt as a slave.
What miracle happened at Dothan?
When a Syrian army surrounded Elisha at Dothan, God opened his servant’s eyes to see the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire protecting the prophet.