Genesis 37:17 kjv

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.

Genesis 37:17 nkjv

And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.' " So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.

Genesis 37:17 niv

"They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'?" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.

Genesis 37:17 esv

And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

Genesis 37:17 nlt

"Yes," the man told him. "They have moved on from here, but I heard them say, 'Let's go on to Dothan.'" So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 17 Meaning

Genesis 37:17 explains how Joseph, having been sent by his father Jacob to check on his brothers in Shechem, found the assistance he needed. An unidentified man informed Joseph that his brothers had departed from Shechem and gone towards Dothan. This seemingly casual encounter and geographical redirection were crucial steps in God's overarching plan for Joseph and, ultimately, for the salvation of the nascent nation of Israel. It illustrates how divine providence orchestrates seemingly minor human interactions to fulfill greater purposes.

Genesis 37 17 Context

Genesis 37 opens with Joseph, at age seventeen, having dreams of his family bowing before him. These dreams, coupled with Jacob's evident favoritism (symbolized by the coat of many colors), incite intense jealousy and hatred from his older brothers. Joseph is then dispatched by Jacob to Shechem, about fifty miles north of Hebron, to check on his brothers and their flocks. The brothers, meanwhile, have moved on from Shechem to Dothan. Verse 17 directly follows Joseph's initial arrival at Shechem, where he is seemingly lost and unsure where his brothers have gone. The verse describes a crucial encounter that leads Joseph directly into the very situation orchestrated by God's plan, albeit involving his brothers' wickedness. This event, redirecting Joseph to Dothan, positions him perfectly for the Midianite caravan trade route that passed through that region, setting in motion his sale into slavery in Egypt.

Genesis 37 17 Word analysis

• And the man said,

  • And: Hebrew וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyo'mer), meaning "and he said," continuing the narrative flow.
  • the man: Hebrew הָאִישׁ (ha'ish), meaning "the man." This is a definitive article "the," suggesting a specific, though unnamed, man. Commentaries often debate his identity; he could be a normal human shepherd or traveler providentially placed, or even an angelic messenger. The text simply presents him as an individual. This encounter, whether human or angelic, is a direct example of God's unseen hand guiding events. It underscores the concept of divine guidance appearing in common ways, contrasting with pagan ideas of random fate.

• They are departed hence;

  • They are departed: Hebrew נָסְעוּ (nas'u), from the root נָסַע (nasa), meaning "to pull up stakes, journey, set out, depart." It implies a deliberate and definite relocation.
  • hence: From this place, Shechem. This word signifies a definite shift in location from Joseph's original search area, requiring him to move further. The brothers moved further to find better pasture and to avoid Shechem, where their past violence had left a mark (Gen 34).

• for I heard them say,

  • for I heard: Hebrew שָׁמַעְתִּי (shama'ti), from the root שָׁמַע (shama), meaning "to hear, listen, understand, obey." The direct hearing suggests a precise and reliable piece of information, not guesswork. This precision of information is critical in directing Joseph.

• Let us go to Dothan.

  • Let us go: Hebrew נֵלְכָה (nelkaha), from הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning "to go, walk." This indicates a clear intention and direction from the brothers.
  • to Dothan: Hebrew דֹּתָנָה (Dotana). Dothan was a city in northern Samaria, roughly 10-15 miles north of Shechem, and about 60-70 miles from Hebron. Its name likely means "two wells" or "laws." Its historical significance lies in its location along the ancient trade route that connected Gilead (east of the Jordan River) with Egypt, making it a regular stopping point for camel caravans. This precise geographical detail is vital as it directly facilitated Joseph's eventual sale to the Midianite traders. This specific relocation of the brothers and the guidance Joseph receives, highlights the divine orchestrating of seemingly coincidental events to bring about God's purpose for Joseph's life. The exact place of Dothan, on the trade route, points to God's foresight and careful arrangement, directly challenging the notion that chance or human malice alone dictates destiny.

Genesis 37 17 Bonus section

• The Unnamed Man's Identity: The Bible often refers to figures who deliver crucial information or assistance without identifying them beyond "a man." This ambiguity can sometimes point to a divinely dispatched agent, a human instruments specifically guided by God, or even an angel. In Joseph's story, where divine providence is a dominant theme, this unnamed man serves as a clear link in the chain of God's orchestrating hand. He appears at precisely the right moment to provide the critical information needed to move the narrative forward.
• Dothan's Future Significance: Dothan recurs later in the biblical narrative in 2 Kgs 6:13-19, where the prophet Elisha is surrounded by the Syrian army. In this instance, Dothan is again a site where God's unseen, protecting presence is dramatically revealed (the mountain full of chariots and horses of fire), demonstrating God's sovereign care for His chosen ones. This parallel use of Dothan subtly reinforces its role as a place where divine activity, often unseen yet potent, intervenes in human affairs.
• Ironic Providence: The brothers' move from Shechem to Dothan might have been an attempt to distance themselves further from their father or to find better grazing. Yet, this very move, combined with the "man's" direction, directly brings Joseph into their snare, ultimately leading him into Egypt, which God intended for the brothers' future salvation, a stark example of God turning human ill intentions into His perfect will.

Genesis 37 17 Commentary

Genesis 37:17 stands as a deceptively simple yet profoundly significant verse in the narrative of Joseph. It recounts a brief, mundane interaction: a lost shepherd boy asking directions and receiving them. However, within the divine tapestry, this verse marks a crucial pivot. Without this seemingly incidental meeting, Joseph would not have found his brothers, nor would he have been in the ideal geographical location—Dothan—for his providential sale into slavery. Dothan's position on the Egypt-bound trade route was not a coincidence; it was precisely where God positioned Joseph for the next phase of His plan. This verse perfectly illustrates God's sovereign control over seemingly random events and human decisions. Even the wickedness of Joseph's brothers, and the happenstance of their migration for pasture, along with the information from an unnamed "man," all served as instruments in God's hands to fulfill His greater redemptive purpose, setting the stage for Joseph's elevation and the eventual salvation of his family from famine. The ultimate good came not despite these adversities, but often through them, according to God's design.