Dothan (ancient city)

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Dothan was a city located at north of Shechem, and about 100 km north of Hebron, house of Jacob. It was known to Eusebius, who places it 12 miles to the north of Sebaste (Samaria); and here it has been discovered in our own times. It is identified with the modern Tell-Dothan, on the south side of the plain of Jezreel, among the hills of Gilboa.

It is first mentioned (Genesis 37:17) in connection with the history of Joseph. Here, at the suggestion of Judah, the brothers sold him to the Ishmaelite merchants (Gen. 37:17). It later appears as the residence of Elisha (2 Kings 6:13) and the scene of a remarkable vision of chariots and horses of fire surrounding the mountain on which the city stood.

The modern Israeli settlement of Mevo Dotan's name, approach to Dothan, is derived from its nearby location. In addition, its mention in Genesis was the basis for the naming of Dothan, Alabama.