The so-called "Well of Joseph" or the "Joseph's Well" stands as a shared narrative thread among the Abrahamic religions, encapsulating themes of betrayal, faith, and redemption. It is frequently mentioned in scriptures and religious commentaries, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual significance.

Various locations across the Middle East have been associated with this well, each carrying its own historical and cultural legacy. While the well is most famously tied to the story of Joseph's sale into slavery, it has also come to represent divine providence and human resilience.

circa 1914- 1804 BCE

Judeo-Christian Tradition
In both Jewish and Christian traditions, the Well of Joseph is closely tied to the narrative in Genesis 37:23–28, where Joseph's brothers strip him of his coat of many colors and cast him into a "pit," often interpreted as a dry well or cistern. For Judaism, the story highlights themes of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and ultimate reconciliation, with the pit symbolizing Joseph's descent into hardship before his rise to prominence in Egypt. Rabbinic interpretations frequently explore the emptiness of the pit ("there was no water in it") as a metaphor for divine testing or human despair.

In Christian exegesis, the account is similarly significant, with an emphasis on its typological elements. Early Church Fathers viewed Joseph as a prefiguration of Christ, and the well as a symbol of Christ's suffering and sacrifice. The narrative serves as a profound moral lesson on forgiveness, exemplified by Joseph's ultimate reconciliation with his brothers. During the medieval period, Christian pilgrims often visited locations believed to be associated with the "Well of Joseph," seeing them as sites for reflection on divine mercy and human redemption. Together, these traditions frame the Well of Joseph as a powerful symbol of trial, perseverance, and grace.

Islamic Tradition
In Islam, the Joseph's Well is prominently mentioned in Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) of the Qur'an, where it is described as the place where Yusuf’s jealous brothers threw him before he was found and sold into slavery. The well is a key symbol in the Qur'anic account, representing both the depth of human treachery and the ultimate victory of divine will. Islamic commentators often highlight the spiritual lessons from Yusuf's story, such as patience (sabr), reliance on Allah, and the eventual triumph of justice. Locations associated with the well are regarded with reverence, and the story continues to be a source of inspiration in Islamic teachings.

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Jubb Yusuf
Located in the Galilee region of modern-day Israel/Palestine, Jubb Yusuf is a historical and archaeological site traditionally associated with the well mentioned in the story of Joseph. Archaeological and historical records suggest that it served as an important waypoint for travelers in the medieval Islamic period. While its exact connection to the biblical Joseph remains debated, the site has been venerated in Islamic tradition.

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Tel Dothan
Situated near the ancient city of Dothan (Tell Dothan) in the West Bank, this site is often linked to the narrative in Genesis, as the place where Joseph’s brothers initially conspired against him. Dothan is first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis) in connection with the history of Joseph, as the place in which the sons of Jacob (Israel) had moved their sheep and, at the suggestion of Judah, the brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelite merchants (Gen. 37:17).

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al-Muthanna, Iraq
A lesser-known site with a regional association to the figure of Yusuf, celebrated in local Islamic tradition.

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Cairo Citadel, Egypt
Some traditions associate an ancient water well inside the Cairo Citadel in Egypt, reflecting Joseph's eventual rise to prominence in the land where he became a key figure in Pharaonic governance.