Dothan

From BibleEncyclopedia.Net

dō´than (דּתין, dōthayīn, דּתן, dōthān, “two wells,” “double feast”; Δωθάειμ, Dōtháeim):

Two wells, a famous pasture-ground where Joseph found his brethren watching their flocks. Here, at the suggestion of Judah, they sold him to the Ishmaelite merchants (Genesis 37:17). It is mentioned on monuments in 1600 B.C..

It was 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. It is identified with the modern Tell-Dothan, on the south side of the plain of Jezreel, about 12 miles north of Samaria, among the hills of Gilboa. The “two wells” are still in existence, one of which bears the name of the “pit of Joseph” (Jubb Yusuf).

It is a place to the North of Shechem whither Jacob's sons went for pasture for the flocks; where Joseph who followed them was sold to the Ishmaelites, after having been imprisoned in a “pit” (Genesis 37:17). Here in later days the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened to see the mountain “full of horses and chariots of fire,” guarding his master from the encircling Syrians (2 Kings 6:13). This is certainly to be identified with Tell Dōthān, which lies on the East of the ancient road leading from Gilead across Esdraelon to the seacoast, and thence to Egypt. It is about 5 miles to the Southwest of Jenīn. There are some traces of old buildings, two cisterns - Dōthayin or Dōthayim = “two cisterns” or “pits” - and one copious spring. Excellent pasture is found in the surrounding plain, and on the adjoining slopes.