Genesis 37:12-17

Genesis 37:12-17

[12] And his brethren  to feed  their father's  flock  in Shechem.  [13] And Israel  said  unto Joseph,  Do not thy brethren  feed  the flock in Shechem?  and I will send thee  unto them. And he said  to him, Here am I. [14] And he said  I pray thee, see  whether it be well  with thy brethren,  and well  with the flocks;  me word  again.  So he sent  him out of the vale  of Hebron,  and he came  to Shechem.  [15] found him,  and, behold, he was wandering  in the field:  asked him,  saying,  What seekest  [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,  to Dothan.  And Joseph  after  his brethren,  and found  them in Dothan. 

What does Genesis 37:12-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It was not uncommon for shepherds to lead their flocks many miles from home in search of pasture. Shechem was about60 miles north of Hebron. Jacob owned land there ( Genesis 33:19). Dothan was17 miles farther north.