Original Word: דֹּתָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Dothan
Pronunciation: doh-THAN
Phonetic Spelling: (do'-thawn)
KJV: Dothan
NASB: Dothan
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Dothan, a place in Israel

Dothan

Or (Aramaic dual) Dothayin (Gen. 37:17) {do- thah'-yin}; of uncertain derivation; Dothan, a place in Palestine -- Dothan.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a place N. of Samaria
NASB Translation
Dothan (3).

דֹּתָן proper name, of a location (ᵐ5 Δωθαειμ) — in Northern Israel, north of Samaria; דֹּתָ֑ן Genesis 37:17; 2 Kings 6:13; דֹּתָ֑יְנָה Genesis 37:17 compare Di; modern Tel Dotâ n, Bd^{Pal 228}.

Geographical Setting

Dothan was a fortified town in the central hill country of Samaria, identified with the modern Tell Dothan, about ten miles north of Shechem and situated on the main north–south trade route that later became the Roman Via Maris. Surrounded by fertile pastureland and numerous cisterns, it provided both grazing for flocks and a strategic lookout over the Jezreel and Harod Valleys.

Joseph and the Valley of Decision (Genesis 37:17)

When Jacob sent Joseph to seek his brothers, he found them pasturing near Dothan. The setting underscores three motifs:

1. Separation and betrayal—Joseph is isolated from his father’s protection.
2. Commerce—caravans of Ishmaelites passed this way to Egypt, facilitating Joseph’s sale and God’s larger redemptive plan.
3. Providence—what appears as fraternal treachery becomes the means by which God preserves the chosen family during future famine (Genesis 50:20).

Elisha, the Invisible Army, and Deliverance (2 Kings 6:13–23)

King Ben-hadad of Aram dispatched a force to seize Elisha at Dothan. The prophet’s calm response reveals several theological themes:
• Divine omniscience: the king’s secret words were known to God’s servant.
• Angelic guardianship: “Do not be afraid,” Elisha told his servant, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). The opened eyes of the servant expose chariots of fire encircling Dothan, illustrating God’s unseen protection of His people.
• Grace toward enemies: the blinded Arameans are led to Samaria, fed, and released, prefiguring New Testament principles of overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:20).

Recurring Motifs

1. Sight versus blindness: Joseph’s brothers refuse to “see” the divine dream; Elisha’s servant is enabled to see heavenly realities while Aramean soldiers are struck with blindness.
2. Sovereign orchestration of ordinary places: a pastoral valley becomes the stage for pivotal covenant events.
3. Preservation of the covenant line: through Joseph’s suffering and Elisha’s ministry Israel is protected from both famine and foreign aggression.

Archaeological Notes

Excavations at Tell Dothan have uncovered Iron II fortifications, rock-cut cisterns matching the narrative of Joseph’s pit, and pottery attesting to continuous occupation through the divided-kingdom era. A ninth-century B.C. Hebrew inscription referencing “Elisha” found nearby (though debated) aligns chronologically with the prophet’s activity.

Lessons for Ministry

• God often works through seemingly adverse circumstances and obscure locales to advance His promises.
• Spiritual perception is granted through prayer and faith; ministry must cultivate eyes that recognize the unseen kingdom.
• Hospitality and mercy toward adversaries bear witness to God’s character and can disarm hostility.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:28; Psalm 34:7; 1 Peter 2:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4

בְּדֹתָֽן׃ בְדֹתָֽן׃ בדתן׃ דֹּתָ֑יְנָה דתינה bə·ḏō·ṯān ḇə·ḏō·ṯān bedoTan bəḏōṯān ḇəḏōṯān dō·ṯā·yə·nāh doTayenah dōṯāyənāh vedoTanInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts