37:12–22 Some time later, after Joseph had recounted his dreams to his family, his brothers were shepherding the flocks in the good pastures in the vicinity of Shechem, some distance from the Valley of Hebron. Concerned about their welfare, Israel sent Joseph to visit them and bring back news. The fact that they were shepherding in the vicinity of the town they had pillaged might have heightened his concern for his sons (ch. 34). Joseph had not accompanied his brothers, either because they had prevented him or because Jacob did not want him to be away from home for a long time.

Joseph did not find his brothers around Shechem, and a man informed him that they had moved to Dothan. When Joseph approached his brothers near Dothan, they recognized him in the distance because of his elegant cloak…