Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 37:14

"And he said to him, Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem." — Genesis 37:14 (ASV)

Whether it be well with your brethren. —Jacob might well fear that the local inhabitants would form a confederacy against his sons and take vengeance on them for their cruelty. They were too fierce themselves to have any such alarm, but Jacob was of a far more timid disposition.

The valley of Hebron. —The flocks and herds that formed the portion of Jacob’s cattle pasturing nearest home occupied the country immediately to the north of Hebron, as far as the tower of Eder; but he would no doubt pitch his own tent as near as possible to that of his father.