Joseph’s quiet obedience in seeking his brothers at Dothan ultimately compelled the narrative toward God’s grand design.
In this scene, Joseph, who was about seventeen years old around 1898 B.C., is wandering in search of his older brothers at his father’s request. Part of a large family line descending from Abraham, Joseph occupies an important role in Israel’s history. In the midst of his search, Scripture says, “Then the man said, ‘They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.” (v.17). This unnamed man directs Joseph from the area of Shechem toward Dothan, thus setting in motion a pivotal chain of events in Joseph’s life, ultimately leading him to Egypt (Genesis 37:25).
Dothan was located in the region north of Shechem, on a route known for trade caravans passing between Gilead and Egypt. This detail highlights the precise geography of the story. Joseph’s willingness to obey his father by continuing north to Dothan even after failing to locate his brothers at Shechem mirrors the faithfulness that God often calls believers to exhibit—obeying, even if circumstances seem uncertain. Historically, Joseph’s brothers harbored jealousy toward him, and finding them at Dothan eventually led to their drastic decision to sell him to traveling Ishmaelite traders (Genesis 37:25).
Joseph’s story foreshadows themes seen in the New Testament, where Jesus also willingly followed His Father’s will (John 6:38). Although God ultimately used Joseph’s misfortune to preserve Israel, the immediate outcome was betrayal by family and exile into a foreign land. Nonetheless, this verse signals a lesson of faithful perseverance: Joseph remained steadfast in his charge, even when it involved a change of plan and an unexpected destination.
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Genesis 37:17 meaning
In this scene, Joseph, who was about seventeen years old around 1898 B.C., is wandering in search of his older brothers at his father’s request. Part of a large family line descending from Abraham, Joseph occupies an important role in Israel’s history. In the midst of his search, Scripture says, “Then the man said, ‘They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.” (v.17). This unnamed man directs Joseph from the area of Shechem toward Dothan, thus setting in motion a pivotal chain of events in Joseph’s life, ultimately leading him to Egypt (Genesis 37:25).
Dothan was located in the region north of Shechem, on a route known for trade caravans passing between Gilead and Egypt. This detail highlights the precise geography of the story. Joseph’s willingness to obey his father by continuing north to Dothan even after failing to locate his brothers at Shechem mirrors the faithfulness that God often calls believers to exhibit—obeying, even if circumstances seem uncertain. Historically, Joseph’s brothers harbored jealousy toward him, and finding them at Dothan eventually led to their drastic decision to sell him to traveling Ishmaelite traders (Genesis 37:25).
Joseph’s story foreshadows themes seen in the New Testament, where Jesus also willingly followed His Father’s will (John 6:38). Although God ultimately used Joseph’s misfortune to preserve Israel, the immediate outcome was betrayal by family and exile into a foreign land. Nonetheless, this verse signals a lesson of faithful perseverance: Joseph remained steadfast in his charge, even when it involved a change of plan and an unexpected destination.