Genesis 37:15-17 shows that, while searching in vain for his brothers around Shechem, Joseph meets an unnamed stranger who redirects him north to Dothan, where he observed the sons of Jacob leading the flock.
In Genesis 37:15-17, Joseph encounters a stranger who directs him to his brothers. After being sent to check on his brothers by his father Israel (Jacob), Joseph is seen wandering on his journey: A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" (v 15).
The Hebrew word "ish" (translated as man) may simply denote a passerby. Yet Genesis also uses this word to denote a husband or even an angel (Genesis 3:6, 16:3, 18:2, 32:24). Joseph has already walked fifty rugged miles from Hebron to Shechem without success.
Joseph, after arriving in Shechem, is foundwandering. The story begins with Joseph wandering in Shechem and the arc of this story draws to a close over 400 years later, when the wandering of the children of Jacob draws to an end in the same location. Joshua, after crossing the Jordan and reducing Jericho, directs the nation of Israel to the place designated by Moses in Deuteronomy 27, Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, which both tower over Shechem (Joshua 8:30-35). Click here to read our commentary on Joshua 8:30-35.
It is there, on the slopes of the same mountains where Joseph wanders, that the covenant with God is renewed by the nation before the conquest of Canaan is undertaken. The children of Jacob wandered far and long, but the Lord ordained the whole of their steps, ending their journey where it began. That Joseph was wandering indicates that he was crisscrossing the area looking for signs of his brothers. In the vast wilderness surrounding Shechem, flocks might be visible for a considerable distance, but might also be hidden among the hills. Joseph was likely traversing from hill to hill, spying out the terrain for his family.
To be found while wandering indicates a divine provision of Joseph's need. God shows through Joseph's journey that He is executing His perfect plans. While Joseph wanders, God works through others to provide guidance as he goes. This theme will continue and grow as God will work through Joseph's brothers, Ishmaelite traders, and Egyptian rulers in order to bring about His redemptive plan through the obedient walk of Joseph.
When Joseph replies to the man who found him in Genesis 37:16, he says, "I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock" (v 16). Ironically, the obedient search for his brothers will expose him to their violence, prefiguring Jesus's mission to a world that "received Him not" (John 1:11).
We also see that Joseph asks his question with a seeming expectation that this man knows where his brothers were headed. Perhaps Joseph's anticipation is due to the fact that this man is also a herder, and Joseph would presume that at some point they would have crossed paths.
The stranger conveniently answers, "They have moved from here; for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan'" (v 17). Dothan lies about fifteen miles north-northwest of Shechem, astride the Via Maris--an international trade route linking Damascus to Egypt through the Jezreel Valley. The Jezreel Valley is the place also known as Armageddon.
Dothan means "two wells," and centuries later Elisha will see angelic chariots encamp there (2 Kings 6:13-17). The location is strategic: caravans bound for Egypt customarily paused at its springs, providing the very conduit that will eventually carry Joseph south (Genesis 37:28). What seems to have been a casual overheard remark thus turns out to be vital information which God ensured this man learned, echoing the biblical wisdom found in Proverbs:
"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Joseph and the man's seemingly chance encounter concludes with Genesis 37:17: "So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan." His diligence in obeying his father brings him closer to the moment of betrayal.
Yet, from a biblical perspective, the detour is indispensable: Stephen later testifies about Joseph that "God was with him and delivered him out of all his afflictions" (Acts 7:9-10). The route to suffering is also the route to exaltation, foreshadowing the Messiah who would be "handed over by the predetermined plan…nailed to a cross…and raised up" (Acts 2:23-24).
Genesis 37:15-17
15 A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?”
16 He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.”
17 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.
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Genesis 37:15-17 meaning
In Genesis 37:15-17, Joseph encounters a stranger who directs him to his brothers. After being sent to check on his brothers by his father Israel (Jacob), Joseph is seen wandering on his journey: A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" (v 15).
The Hebrew word "ish" (translated as man) may simply denote a passerby. Yet Genesis also uses this word to denote a husband or even an angel (Genesis 3:6, 16:3, 18:2, 32:24). Joseph has already walked fifty rugged miles from Hebron to Shechem without success.
Joseph, after arriving in Shechem, is found wandering. The story begins with Joseph wandering in Shechem and the arc of this story draws to a close over 400 years later, when the wandering of the children of Jacob draws to an end in the same location. Joshua, after crossing the Jordan and reducing Jericho, directs the nation of Israel to the place designated by Moses in Deuteronomy 27, Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, which both tower over Shechem (Joshua 8:30-35). Click here to read our commentary on Joshua 8:30-35.
It is there, on the slopes of the same mountains where Joseph wanders, that the covenant with God is renewed by the nation before the conquest of Canaan is undertaken. The children of Jacob wandered far and long, but the Lord ordained the whole of their steps, ending their journey where it began. That Joseph was wandering indicates that he was crisscrossing the area looking for signs of his brothers. In the vast wilderness surrounding Shechem, flocks might be visible for a considerable distance, but might also be hidden among the hills. Joseph was likely traversing from hill to hill, spying out the terrain for his family.
To be found while wandering indicates a divine provision of Joseph's need. God shows through Joseph's journey that He is executing His perfect plans. While Joseph wanders, God works through others to provide guidance as he goes. This theme will continue and grow as God will work through Joseph's brothers, Ishmaelite traders, and Egyptian rulers in order to bring about His redemptive plan through the obedient walk of Joseph.
When Joseph replies to the man who found him in Genesis 37:16, he says, "I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock" (v 16). Ironically, the obedient search for his brothers will expose him to their violence, prefiguring Jesus's mission to a world that "received Him not" (John 1:11).
We also see that Joseph asks his question with a seeming expectation that this man knows where his brothers were headed. Perhaps Joseph's anticipation is due to the fact that this man is also a herder, and Joseph would presume that at some point they would have crossed paths.
The stranger conveniently answers, "They have moved from here; for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan'" (v 17). Dothan lies about fifteen miles north-northwest of Shechem, astride the Via Maris--an international trade route linking Damascus to Egypt through the Jezreel Valley. The Jezreel Valley is the place also known as Armageddon.
Dothan means "two wells," and centuries later Elisha will see angelic chariots encamp there (2 Kings 6:13-17). The location is strategic: caravans bound for Egypt customarily paused at its springs, providing the very conduit that will eventually carry Joseph south (Genesis 37:28). What seems to have been a casual overheard remark thus turns out to be vital information which God ensured this man learned, echoing the biblical wisdom found in Proverbs:
"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."
(Proverbs 16:9)
Joseph and the man's seemingly chance encounter concludes with Genesis 37:17: "So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan." His diligence in obeying his father brings him closer to the moment of betrayal.
Yet, from a biblical perspective, the detour is indispensable: Stephen later testifies about Joseph that "God was with him and delivered him out of all his afflictions" (Acts 7:9-10). The route to suffering is also the route to exaltation, foreshadowing the Messiah who would be "handed over by the predetermined plan…nailed to a cross…and raised up" (Acts 2:23-24).