dothan Summary and Overview

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 (Gen. 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).

(two wells), a place first mentioned #Ge 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. #2Ki 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.

DO'THAN (two cisterns), where Joseph found his brethren, Gen 37:17, and Elisha resided. 2 Kgs 6:13. It was on the south side of the plain of Jezreel, 12 miles north of Samaria; now called Tell-Dothda, 5 miles south-west of Jenin. Numerous bottle-shaped cisterns hewn in the rock are still found, which are supposed to resemble the "pit" of Gen 37:24. Caravans still pass this place, as of old, on their way from Damascus to Egypt. DO TO WIT means to make known. 2 Cor 8:1.

DOTHAN or DOTHAIN. ("two wells".) At it Joseph was put into a well pit (from whence it derived its name) become dry, and afterward sold to Ishmaelite merchants who traveled that route between Syria and Egypt (Genesis 37:17); near Shechem. Elisha's place of sojourn, when the Syrian king invested the city with horses and chariots, to Gehazi's dismay; but "the mountain" whereon it stood he saw, when the Lord opened his eyes, to be "full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:13-18). Situated in the center of the country near the S. edge of the Esdraelon plain, from which hills extending from Carmel range separate it. The ruins on a large tell or mound mark the place, Dotan; beneath the S. side is a spring. Close by is an ancient road with massive pavement running N. and S. To this day there are numerous cisterns hewn in the rock, and bottle shaped with hallow mouth, such as egress, would be impossible from without help. Into such a pit doubtless Joseph was cast here.