King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The man said, "They've left here; because I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dotan.'"Yosef went after his brothers and found them in Dotan.
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.
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the man{H376} said{H559}, They are departed{H5265} hence{H2088}; for I heard{H8085} them say{H559}, Let us go{H3212} to Dothan{H1886}. And Joseph{H3130} went{H3212} after{H310} his brethren{H251}, and found{H4672} them in Dothan{H1886}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 37:17
Genesis 37:17 is a part of the narrative of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (also known as Israel). The verse is set within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives in the Book of Genesis, which detail the lives and journeys of the ancestors of the Israelite people.
**Themes:**
1. **Family Dynamics and Jealousy:** The story of Joseph is rich with themes of family tension, jealousy, and favoritism. Joseph, being Jacob's favored son, receives a coat of many colors, which exacerbates the jealousy of his brothers.
2. **Divine Providence:** This verse hints at the unfolding of a larger divine plan. Joseph's journey to find his brothers, initiated by his father's request, sets in motion a series of events that will lead to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and the eventual salvation of his family during a famine.
3. **Journey and Quest:** The verse reflects Joseph's initial step on a journey that will take him from the comfort of his father's home to a position of great authority in Egypt. This journey is both literal and metaphorical, representing personal growth and the fulfillment of his destiny.
**Historical Context:**
The events described in Genesis, including the life of Joseph, are traditionally dated to the late second millennium BCE, during the Bronze Age. The narrative reflects the cultural practices and societal norms of the ancient Near East, including the importance of familial ties, the role of dreams and their interpretations, and the dynamics of power and status within a tribal structure.
Dothan, the place where Joseph finds his brothers, was an ancient city in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, one of Joseph's sons, according to the later division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Its exact location is debated, but it is generally placed in the Jezreel Valley in modern-day Israel.
The verse captures a pivotal moment in the Joseph story, foreshadowing the reconciliation and redemption that will come after years of family separation and hardship. It also underscores the theme of God's guidance over the lives of individuals and the course of history, which is a central tenet in the theology of the Hebrew Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H5265
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָסַע
Transliteration: nâçaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-sah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. - Strong's Number: H2088
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶה
Transliteration: zeh
Pronunciation: zeh
Description: a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that; he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare זֹאת, זֹה, זוֹ, זוּ. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H1886
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֹּתָן
Transliteration: Dôthân
Pronunciation: do'-thawn
Description: or (Aramaic dual) דֹּתַיִן; (Genesis 37:17), of uncertain derivation; Dothan, a place in Palestine; Dothan. h - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.