Dan דָּן
Fifth son of Jacob, founder of Israelite tribe
Biography
Dan was the fifth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the firstborn of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. His birth is recorded in Gen.30.6, where Rachel, who had been unable to conceive, gave Bilhah to Jacob as a concubine to bear children on her behalf. When Bilhah gave birth to a son, Rachel named him Dan, saying, "God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son."
As one of Israel's twelve sons, Dan became the founder of the Israelite tribe bearing his name. In Gen.46.23, when Israel and his family moved to Egypt, Dan's son Hushim is mentioned as part of the household.
In Israel's blessing to his sons before his death (Gen.49.16-17), Dan is described as one who will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Jacob also compares Dan to a serpent by the roadside, an adder along the path, foreshadowing the tribe's future role in the Promised Land.
The tribe of Dan was allocated territory in the northern part of Canaan during the conquest under Joshua. However, they later migrated northward and settled in the city of Laish, which they renamed Dan (Judges 18).
In 1Ch.2.2, Dan is listed among the twelve tribes of Israel, confirming his status as one of the founding fathers of the nation. Throughout the Old Testament, the tribe of Dan is mentioned alongside the other Israelite tribes, although they are sometimes associated with idolatry and apostasy.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Reuben Tribe of ReubenSon of IsraelFirstborn son of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Simeon Tribe of SimeonSon of IsraelSon of Jacob and Leah, one of the twelve tribes.View full profile →
- Levi Tribe of LeviSon of IsraelSon of Jacob; progenitor of the LevitesView full profile →
- Judah Tribe of JudahSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe, kingdom, and provinceView full profile →
- Naphtali Tribe of NaphtaliSon of IsraelSon of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali.View full profile →
- Gad Tribe of GadSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe; descended from Gad, son of Jacob.View full profile →
- Asher Tribe of AsherSon of IsraelSon of Jacob and Zilpah, founder of the tribe of AsherView full profile →
- Issachar Tribe of IssacharSon of IsraelSon of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribeView full profile →
- Zebulun Tribe of ZebulunSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe, son of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Dinah Early PatriarchJacob's daughterDaughter of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Joseph Early PatriarchJacob's sonSon of Jacob, ruler in EgyptView full profile →
- Benjamin Tribe of BenjaminSon of IsraelYoungest son of Jacob and RachelView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 5 verses Study available
- Genesis 30:6
"Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 35:25
"The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 46:23
"The son of Dan: Hushim."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 49:16
"“Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 49:17
"Dan will be a serpent on the trail, an adder in the path, that bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls backward."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 2:2
"Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | דָּן | H1835H |
Dan (2)
.). Its ancient name was Laish or Leshem (Jud 18:7, etc.). It was probably an outlying settlement of Tyre of Sidon. Its inhabitants, pursuing the ends of peaceful traders, were defenseless against the onset of the Danite raiders. Having captured the city the Danites gave it the name of their own tribal ancestor (Jud 18). It lay in the valley near Beth-rehob (Jud 18:28). Josephus places it near Mt. Lebanon and the fountain of the lesser Jordan, a day's journey from Sidon (Ant., V, iii, 1; VIII, viii, 4; BJ, IV, i, 1). Eusebius, Onomasticon says it lay 4 Roman miles from Paneas on the way to Tyre, at the source of the Jordan.
This points decisively to Tell el-Qady, in the plain West of Banias. The mound of this name--Kady is the exact Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew Dan--rises from among the bushes and reeds to a height varying from 40 to 80 ft. The largest of all the springs of the Jordan rises on the west side. The waters join with those of a smaller spring on the other side to form Nahr el-Leddan which flows southward to meet the streams from Banias and Chasbeiyeh. The mound, which is the crater of an extinct volcano, has certain ancient remains on the south side, while the tomb of Sheikh Marzuk is sheltered by two holy trees. The sanctuary and ritual established by the Danites persisted as long as the house of God was in Shiloh, and the priesthood in this idolatrous shrine remained in the family of Jonathan till the conquest of Tiglath-pileser (Jud 18:30; 2Ki 15:29). Here Jeroboam I set up the golden calf. The ancient sanctity of the place would tend to promote the success of his scheme (1Ki 12:28 f, etc.). The calf, according to a Jewish tradition, was taken away by Tiglath-pileser. Da fell before Benhadad, king of Syria (1Ki 15:20; 2Ch 16:4). It was regained by Jeroboam II (2Ki 14:25). It shared the country's fate at th hands of Tiglath-pileser (2Ki 15:29).
It was to this district that Abraham pursued the army of Chedorlaomer (Ge 14:14). For Dr. G. A. Smith's suggestion that Da may have been at Banias see HGHL1, 473, 480 f.
W. Ewing
(Eze 27:19 the King James Version). See VEDAN.
dan-ja'-an (dan ya`-an; B, Da Eidan kai Oudan): A place