Dothan
Dothan is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tel Dotan. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Dothan occupies a prominent place in two pivotal biblical narratives separated by centuries. Its first appearance in Genesis 37:17 is among the most consequential moments in the patriarchal history: Joseph traveled to Dothan seeking his brothers, and it was there, in the fertile plain below the city, that they stripped him of his ornamented robe, threw him into a cistern, and sold him to Ishmaelite traders bound for Egypt. This act of betrayal launched the chain of events through which God would preserve both Israel and Egypt during seven years of famine, making Dothan — though an unlikely stage — a pivot point in redemptive history. Centuries later, Dothan appears again in 2 Kings 6:13, when the Syrian king sent horses, chariots, and a great army to surround the city where the prophet Elisha was staying. When his servant despaired at the encircling host, Elisha prayed that his eyes would be opened, and the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire — a theophanic vision of divine protection. Dothan thus frames two great themes: human treachery overruled by divine providence, and the invisible heavenly armies attending God's servants.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Tel Dotan, located in the southern Jezreel Valley approximately 22 kilometers north of Samaria, was excavated by Joseph Free of Wheaton College in a series of campaigns between 1953 and 1964. Those excavations uncovered significant occupation layers spanning from the Chalcolithic period through the early Islamic era, confirming the site's extraordinary longevity. Bronze Age remains demonstrate Dothan's importance as a regional center during the patriarchal period, and Iron Age strata reflect continued urban settlement consistent with the Elisha narrative. Large storage jars and silos attested to Dothan's role in agricultural commerce. The site remains largely unexcavated, and renewed investigation would likely yield further significant material.
Verse Appearances (2)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →