Genesis 37:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The stranger directs Joseph to Dothan, where his brothers have moved, and Joseph goes to them.
The Context of Genesis 37:17
Joseph is directed to Dothan and finds his brothers there.
What Does Genesis 37:17 Mean?
The man tells Joseph that his brothers have moved on to Dothan, a place farther north in Canaan. Without hesitation, Joseph follows them there and finds them. He is on a course set by his father's instruction and aided by a providential stranger—neither his brothers nor he yet know that this journey will change the course of his life forever.
Dothan was in an isolated region, far from Jacob's oversight. The move from Shechem to Dothan puts Joseph in a place where his brothers can act without fear of immediate discovery or interference.
Genesis 37:17 in the Original Language
Dothân (דֹתָן), 'Dothan' — a city in northern Samaria, about 50 miles north of Hebron, in an isolated area suited for shepherding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 37:17
What does Genesis 37:17 mean?
The stranger directs Joseph to Dothan, where his brothers have moved, and Joseph goes to them.
What is the context of Genesis 37:17?
Joseph is directed to Dothan and finds his brothers there.