DOSITHEUS (AcocrlOcos). I. One of the generals of Judas Maccabreus (2 Maccab. xii. 19, 24). 2. A horse soldier in the army of Judas Mac cabuus, of the company of Bacenor (2 Maccab. xii. 35). 3. A renegade Jew in the camp or Ptolemy Philopator (3 Maccab. i. 3).—S. N.
DOTHAN ()'rh, and ; Sept. Aco0a€10.
Dothan is only twice mentioned in Scripture, and yet there are few Bible cities round which so much of romantic interest clings. Joseph was sent from Hebron by his father to visit his brethien, then supposed to be pasturing their flocks on Jacob's property at Shechem. On reaching the plain of Shechem, he was told they had gone to Dothan ; he followed, and found them there (Gen. xxxvii. 14-17). Among the wooded hills of Ephraim, about 14 miles north of Shechem, is a beautiful little plain, carpeted with green grass. On its southern side is a large mound or tell covered with ruins. This is the site of Dothan, and it is still called by its ancient name. At the base of the tell is a fountain ; and probably beside it Joseph's brethren were grouped when they saw him in the distance approaching from the direction of She chem. Near it, too, are some deep wells or cis terns, into one or other of which, doubtless, Joseph was let down. The word j'irl (and its contracted form, )In), is dual of the Chaldee rri, 'a well' or `cistern.' Close by Dothan runs the great road from Bethshean and Northern Gilead to Egypt ; and along this the Ishmaelites travelled (Gen. xxxvii. 25).
Dothan was the scene of another remarkable episode in Israelitish history. When the Syrian army under Benhadad invaded Samaria, Elisha the Prophet was living at Dothan, and gave full infor mation to his countrymen of the designs and tactics of the enemy. The Syrian king knew this and
determined to capture him. Accordingly one morning the people of Dothan found their village surrounded by the chariots and horsemen of Ben hadad. Elisha's servant cried in dismay, ' Alas, my master ! how shall we do ?" Fear not,' was the reply, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' Still the servant doubted and trembled ; but Elisha prayed, and the Lord opened the eyes of the young man ; ' and he saw ; and, behold, the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elislia.' Again he prayed, and the Syrians were smitten with 'confusion of sight,' and were then led away to Samaria (2 Kings vi. 8-23).
Dothan is mentioned several times in the Book of Judith in connection with the fortress of Bethu lia (iii. i t ; vii. 3). In the time of Eusebius it was still inhabited, and he gives its exact position, in the twelfth mile (Roman) from Samaria (Onomast. s. v. Dotlzainz). From that period until within the last few years its site has remained unknown. A comparatively late tradition located it north of the Lake of Tiberias, and pointed out the well there in which Joseph was put. The discovery of the true site was made in 1852, by Dr. Robinson and M. Van de Velde. They both came upon it by acci dent, and at once identified it (Robinson, B. R. Ili. 122, 33S ; Van de Velde, i. 365 ; Deland, L. P.