or (Aramaic dual) דֹּתַיִן; (Genesis 37:17), of uncertain derivation; Dothan, a place in Palestine; Dothan. h
Transliteration:Dôthân
Pronunciation:do'-thawn
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1886}}` (Dôthân) is a proper noun, a geographical place name in ancient Palestine. Its derivation is explicitly stated as "uncertain" by the Strong's definition, precluding any definitive etymological insight into its meaning. While the definition notes an Aramaic dual form דֹּתַיִן, this does not clarify the root meaning of the place name itself. As a proper noun designating a specific location, its semantic range is inherently limited to its identity as a physical site. Its significance, therefore, arises not from its intrinsic linguistic meaning, but from the pivotal events that transpired within its vicinity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H1886}}` appears in two distinct and highly significant narratives within the Hebrew Bible:
1. **[[Genesis 37:17]]**: Dothan is first mentioned as the location where Joseph's brothers had moved their flocks from Shechem. Joseph, sent by his father Jacob to check on them, finds them there. It is at Dothan that Joseph is cruelly betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, and subsequently sold to Ishmaelite traders en route to Egypt. This event marks a critical turning point in the patriarchal narratives, initiating Joseph's journey to Egypt and setting the stage for the eventual migration of Jacob's family and the formation of the Israelite nation. Dothan, in this context, serves as the crucible of betrayal and suffering, yet simultaneously the divinely orchestrated starting point for God's redemptive plan for His chosen people.
2. **[[2 Kings 6:13-19]]**: Centuries later, Dothan again plays a central role, this time as the dwelling place of the prophet Elisha. When the king of Aram discovers Elisha's ability to reveal his military strategies, he dispatches a large army with horses and chariots to surround Dothan and capture the prophet. This dramatic episode highlights God's supernatural protection of His servant. Elisha's servant, terrified by the visible Aramean forces, has his eyes opened by divine intervention to perceive the invisible host of chariots and horses of fire surrounding Elisha, demonstrating that "those who are with us are more than those who are with them" ([[2 Kings 6:16]]). Subsequently, Elisha prays for the Aramean army to be struck with blindness, leading them into Samaria, where they are mercifully fed and released. In this account, Dothan becomes a stage for the manifestation of divine power, spiritual revelation, and God's unwavering defense of His prophets.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given that `{{H1886}}` is a proper noun with an uncertain derivation, it does not have direct etymological cognates that illuminate its meaning. However, its biblical occurrences link it to several important concepts:
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**: Both narratives underscore God's active hand in human affairs, whether orchestrating events through human sin (Joseph's sale) or intervening miraculously (Elisha's deliverance).
* **Betrayal and Suffering**: The Genesis account associates Dothan with profound familial treachery and the initiation of Joseph's trials.
* **Spiritual Vision and Unseen Realities**: The 2 Kings narrative powerfully illustrates the existence of a spiritual realm, invisible to the natural eye, where God's protective forces are at work.
* **Prophetic Ministry and Divine Protection**: Dothan serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's power through His prophet Elisha, affirming the prophet's divine commission and protection.
* **Geographical Significance**: Like other biblical locations (e.g., Bethel, Shechem, Gilgal), Dothan is a seemingly ordinary place that becomes hallowed by extraordinary divine activity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Dothan stems entirely from the momentous events that transpired there. It is not a place inherently sacred or cursed, but one chosen by divine providence to be the site of pivotal interactions between God and humanity.
In the narrative of Joseph, Dothan represents a turning point where human sin (jealousy, betrayal, attempted murder) is paradoxically woven into God's larger tapestry of redemption. It underscores the biblical theme that God can use even the most heinous acts of humanity to accomplish His sovereign purposes, ultimately bringing about good for His people ([[Genesis 50:20]]). Joseph's suffering, originating in Dothan, was instrumental in preserving the lineage of Israel and preparing for the Exodus.
In the Elisha narrative, Dothan stands as a powerful testament to the reality of the unseen spiritual realm and God's active, immediate intervention on behalf of His servants. It challenges the human tendency to rely solely on visible circumstances, inviting believers to perceive the greater, invisible power of God at work. The chariots of fire are a vivid image of divine protection, assuring believers that God's resources and power far outweigh any earthly threat. Dothan thus becomes a symbol of divine revelation and security in the face of overwhelming odds.
### Summary
`{{H1886}}` (Dôthân) is a geographical place name in ancient Palestine, the derivation of which is uncertain. Its profound significance in biblical theology is derived from two distinct and pivotal narratives. In [[Genesis 37]], Dothan is the site of Joseph's betrayal and sale into slavery, a dark moment that paradoxically initiates God's redemptive plan for Israel. Centuries later, in [[2 Kings 6]], Dothan becomes the stage for a dramatic display of divine protection, where the prophet Elisha and his servant witness the unseen heavenly hosts defending them against the Aramean army. Thus, Dothan stands as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over human sin and suffering, His active providence in history, and the tangible reality of His invisible, protective presence for His people.
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