Bible Dictionary
Dothan
Dothan was the pastureland where Joseph found his brothers before they sold him to passing merchants. It later became the home of Elisha, where God revealed heavenly horses and chariots protecting the prophet.
Definition
Dothan, meaning “two wells” or “two cisterns,” was a pasture place near Shechem where Jacob’s sons tended their flocks. It was also associated with Elisha and with a remarkable vision of heavenly horses and chariots surrounding the mountain.
Biblical Usage
Joseph found his brothers at Dothan, where they placed him in a pit and sold him to Ishmaelites. Later, Dothan was the residence of Elisha; there his servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire protecting the prophet from the Syrians.
Historical Background
Dothan is identified with Tell Dothan, north of Samaria and southwest of Jenin. The site has pasture, an abundant spring, two cisterns or pits, and traces of old buildings. One cistern bears the name “pit of Joseph.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(two wells), a place first mentioned (Genesis 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. (2 Kings 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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>do'-than (dothayin, dothan, "two wells," "double feast"; Dothaeim): A place to the North of Shechem whither Jacob's sons went for pasture for the flocks; where Joseph who followed them was sold to the Ishmaelites, after having been imprisoned in a "pit" (Ge 37:17 ff). Here in later days the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened to see the mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire," guarding his master from the encircling Syrians (2Ki 6:13 ff). This is certainly to be identified with Tell Dothan, which lies on the East of the ancient road leading from Gilead across Esdraelon to the seacoast, and thence to Egypt. It is about 5 miles to the Southwest of Jenin. There are some traces of old buildings, two cisterns--Dothayin or Dothayin = "two cisterns" or "pits"- -and one copious spring. Excellent pasture is found in the surrounding plain, and on the adjoining slopes.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>