Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “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. New Living Translation “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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Berean Literal Bible And the man said, “They have journeyed from this place. For I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” And Joseph went after his brothers and he found them in Dothan. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible Then the man said, “They have journeyed from here; for I heard them saying, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Amplified Bible Then the man said, “[They were here, but] they have moved on from this place. I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Berean Annotated Bible “They have moved on from here, the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan (two wells). So Joseph (YHWH has added) set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Christian Standard Bible “They’ve moved on from here,” the man said. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Holman Christian Standard Bible They’ve moved on from here,” the man said. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version "They're not here anymore," the man replied. "I overheard them say they were going to Dothan." Joseph left and found his brothers in Dothan. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation The man said, "They moved on from here. I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.' " So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Good News Translation The man said, "They have already left. I heard them say that they were going to Dothan." So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. International Standard Version "They've already left," the man answered. "I heard them saying that they were headed to Dothan." So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there. NET Bible The man said, "They left this area, for I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. New Heart English Bible The man said, "They have left here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. Webster's Bible Translation And the man said, They have departed hence: for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren and found them in Dothan. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. World English Bible The man said, “They have left here, for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the man says, “They have journeyed from this, for I have heard some saying, Let us go to Dothan,” and Joseph goes after his brothers, and finds them in Dothan. Berean Literal Bible And the man said, “They have journeyed from this place. For I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” And Joseph went after his brothers and he found them in Dothan. Young's Literal Translation And the man saith, 'They have journeyed from this, for I have heard some saying, Let us go to Dothan,' and Joseph goeth after his brethren, and findeth them in Dothan. Smith's Literal Translation And the man will say, They -removed from this; for I heard them saying, We will go to Dothan. And Joseph will go after his brethren and will find them in Dothan. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the man said to him: They are departed from this place: for I heard them say: Let us go to Dothain. And Joseph went forward after his brethren, and found them in Dothain. Catholic Public Domain Version And the man said to him: “They have withdrawn from this place. But I heard them saying, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” Therefore, Joseph continued on after his brothers, and he found them at Dothan. New American Bible The man told him, “They have moved on from here; in fact, I heard them say, ‘Let us go on to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd 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. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The man said to him, “They took them from here and I heard that they said, ‘Let us go to Dawthan’ and Yoseph went on after his brothers and he found them in Dawthan. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the man said to him, They have departed hence, for I heard them saying, Let us go to Dothaim; and Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothaim. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joseph Sold by His Brothers…16“I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?” 17“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.… Cross References “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. Genesis 35:16 Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. Genesis 13:3 From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched, Genesis 12:8-9 From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD. / And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” 2 Kings 6:13-14 So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. 2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” / “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Genesis 31:22-25 On the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had fled. / So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. / But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” … Luke 15:4-6 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ Matthew 18:12-14 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. Genesis 45:4-8 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. … Genesis 50:20 As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Acts 7:9-10 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. Psalm 105:17-19 He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones. Acts 7:11-14 Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. / On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh. … Genesis 42:6-9 Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. … Genesis 41:39-41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” Treasury of Scripture And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. Dothan. 2 Kings 6:13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Jump to Previous Departed Dothan Findeth Found Heard Hearing Hence Joseph Journeyed Moved RemovedJump to Next Departed Dothan Findeth Found Heard Hearing Hence Joseph Journeyed Moved RemovedGenesis 37 1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.5. His dreams and the interpretation. 12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him. 21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit; 25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; 29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him. 31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately. 36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar. “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. This phrase indicates a change in location, which is significant in the narrative of Joseph. The man who speaks to Joseph is unnamed, suggesting divine providence guiding Joseph's journey. This encounter is a pivotal moment, as it sets Joseph on the path that leads to his eventual enslavement in Egypt. The movement of Joseph's brothers reflects their nomadic lifestyle, common in the patriarchal period, where herding and seeking pasture were essential for survival. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams and the coat of many colors. He is on a mission to find his brothers. 2. The Man An unnamed individual who provides Joseph with information about his brothers' whereabouts. 3. Joseph's Brothers They are tending their father's flocks and have moved from Shechem to Dothan. 4. Dothan A location in the region of Israel where Joseph eventually finds his brothers. It becomes the setting for his betrayal. 5. Shechem The initial location where Joseph expected to find his brothers before learning they had moved to Dothan. Teaching Points Divine Guidance in UncertaintyJoseph's encounter with the man who directs him to Dothan illustrates how God can use seemingly random encounters to guide us according to His plan. Faithfulness in Obedience Joseph's determination to find his brothers, despite the challenges, exemplifies obedience and commitment to family duties. Providence in Adversity The move to Dothan sets the stage for Joseph's betrayal, yet it is a crucial step in God's larger plan for Joseph's life and the future of Israel. The Role of Unnamed Individuals The man who directs Joseph plays a pivotal role, reminding us that God can use anyone, regardless of their prominence, to fulfill His purposes. Trusting God's Plan Even when circumstances seem unfavorable, as with Joseph's journey, believers are encouraged to trust in God's overarching plan and timing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 37:17?2. How does Genesis 37:17 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Joseph's journey? 3. What can we learn from Joseph's obedience in Genesis 37:17? 4. How does Genesis 37:17 connect to God's plan for Israel's future? 5. How can we trust God's guidance when facing uncertainty, like Joseph in Genesis 37:17? 6. What role does divine providence play in our daily decisions, as seen in Genesis 37:17? 7. How does Genesis 37:17 reflect God's sovereignty in Joseph's journey? 8. What role does divine providence play in Genesis 37:17? 9. How does Genesis 37:17 demonstrate God's guidance in difficult circumstances? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37? 11. What is Dothan's significance in the Bible? 12. What is Dothan's significance in the Bible? 13. (Genesis 37:12–17) Are there any historical records or evidence supporting Joseph’s journey to Shechem and Dothan that validate this narrative? 14. Who brought Joseph to Egypt: the Ishmaelites who bought him (Genesis 37:28), the Midianites who sold him (Genesis 37:36), or his brothers who sold him (Genesis 45:4)? What Does Genesis 37:17 Mean They have moved on from here, the man answered- Joseph’s arrival at Shechem (Genesis 37:13-14) shows his obedient heart; he is literally doing what his father asked. - The unnamed “man” is no accident. God often places unnamed helpers at critical moments (cf. Genesis 24:15-27; Acts 8:26-31). - Scripture records this meeting to stress God’s providence: Joseph will not miss his brothers, because God is guiding every detail (Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28). - The phrase highlights that Joseph is already one step behind, hinting at the danger ahead (Genesis 37:18-20). I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ - The man’s report is based on firsthand hearing, underscoring the factual reliability of the narrative (Deuteronomy 19:15). - Dothan lies about fifteen miles north of Shechem, directly on a major trade route that leads toward Egypt. This geographical note anticipates how God will move Joseph southward (Genesis 45:7-8). - Dothan’s later mention as Elisha’s location (2 Kings 6:13-17) reinforces its role as a place where God reveals hidden plans. So Joseph set out after his brothers - Joseph does not turn back despite being alone and uninformed; his resolve foreshadows his future leadership (Genesis 42:6). - His perseverance mirrors Christ’s commitment to seek the lost (Luke 19:10). - The narrative invites us to trust God’s guidance even when the path seems uncertain (Proverbs 3:5-6). and found them at Dothan. - The simple outcome—Joseph “found them”—shows God’s unseen hand bringing prophecy to pass (Genesis 37:5-11). - Finding them at Dothan sets the stage for the betrayal that will propel Joseph toward Egypt, exactly as God intends (Psalm 105:16-22). - Dothan becomes a pivot: what his brothers mean for harm, God will turn to salvation (Genesis 50:20). summary Genesis 37:17 is more than travel information; it is a snapshot of divine orchestration. An unnamed man redirects Joseph, a casual conversation pinpoints Dothan, and Joseph’s obedience positions him for both suffering and eventual exaltation. The verse quietly affirms that God rules the details, guiding His servant step by step toward a larger redemptive purpose. (17) Dothan.--This town was twelve miles north of Shechem, and is famous as being the place where Elisha struck the Syrian army with blindness (2Kings 6:13-23) It is situated in a small but fertile valley, and Jacob's sons, having exhausted the produce of the larger plain round Shechem, had moved northward thither. Not having found them at Shechem, Joseph did not know where to go, but wandered about "in the field"--the open downs--till he met some one who could give him information. Had he been a practised hunter, like Esau, he would have followed them by the tracks of the cattle.Verse 17. - And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan - Dothaim, "the Two ells," a place twelve miles north of Samaria in the direction of the plain of Esdraelon, situated on the great caravan road from Mount Gilead to Egypt, the scene of one of the greatest miracles of Elisha the prophet (2 Kings 6:13-18), and, though now a deserted ruin, still called by its ancient name. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. "Just beneath Tell Dothan, which still preserves its name, is the little oblong plain, containing the best pasturage in the country, and well chosen by Jacob's sons when they had exhausted for a time the wider plain of Shechem" (Tristram, 'Land of Israel,' p. 132; cf. Thomson, ' Land and Book,' p. 466).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “They have moved onנָסְע֣וּ (nā·sə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey from here,” מִזֶּ֔ה (miz·zeh) Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that the man הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person answered. וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I heard שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ (šā·ma‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently them say, אֹֽמְרִ֔ים (’ō·mə·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Let us go נֵלְכָ֖ה (nê·lə·ḵāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to Dothan.’” דֹּתָ֑יְנָה (dō·ṯā·yə·nāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 1886: Dothan -- a place North of Samaria So Joseph יוֹסֵף֙ (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites set out וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk after אַחַ֣ר (’a·ḥar) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part his brothers אֶחָ֔יו (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) and found them וַיִּמְצָאֵ֖ם (way·yim·ṣā·’êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present at Dothan. בְּדֹתָֽן׃ (bə·ḏō·ṯān) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1886: Dothan -- a place North of Samaria Links Genesis 37:17 NIVGenesis 37:17 NLT Genesis 37:17 ESV Genesis 37:17 NASB Genesis 37:17 KJV Genesis 37:17 BibleApps.com Genesis 37:17 Biblia Paralela Genesis 37:17 Chinese Bible Genesis 37:17 French Bible Genesis 37:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 37:17 The man said They have left here (Gen. 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