King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:17 Mean?

Genesis 37:17 in the King James Version says “And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 37:17 · KJV

Context

15

And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

16

And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

17

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.

18

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

19

And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. dreamer: Heb. master of dreams

Read Genesis 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph wen... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Sold into Slavery shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֹֽמְרִ֔ים1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאִישׁ֙2 of 15

“And the man”

H376

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)

נָֽסְע֣וּ3 of 15

“They are departed”

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מִזֶּ֔ה4 of 15

“hence”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֤י5 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙6 of 15

“for I heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֹֽמְרִ֔ים7 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נֵֽלְכָ֖ה8 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּדֹתָֽן׃9 of 15

“them in Dothan”

H1886

dothan, a place in palestine

וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ10 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

יוֹסֵף֙11 of 15

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אַחַ֣ר12 of 15

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֶחָ֔יו13 of 15

“his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וַיִּמְצָאֵ֖ם14 of 15

“and found”

H4672

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

בְּדֹתָֽן׃15 of 15

“them in Dothan”

H1886

dothan, a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 37:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 37:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 6:13

Places in This Verse

DothanSettlement · Modern: Tel Dotan · 32.41°N, 35.24°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 37 →

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 37 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes