Joshua 19:47

KJV

And the coast of the children of Dan went out [too little] for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the coast {H1366} of the children {H1121} of Dan {H1835} went out {H3318} too little for them: therefore the children {H1121} of Dan {H1835} went up {H5927} to fight {H3898} against Leshem {H3959}, and took {H3920} it, and smote {H5221} it with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}, and possessed {H3423} it, and dwelt {H3427} therein, and called {H7121} Leshem {H3959}, Dan {H1835}, after the name {H8034} of Dan {H1835} their father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The territory of the descendants of Dan was too small for them, so the descendants of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, defeated it by the sword, took possession of it and lived there, calling Leshem "Dan" after Dan their ancestor.

Berean Standard Bible

(Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.)

American Standard Version

And the border of the children of Dan went out beyond them; for the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 19:47 records a crucial turning point for the tribe of Dan, detailing their dissatisfaction with their initially allotted territory, which they found insufficient. This inadequacy prompted a decisive migration northward to conquer the city of Leshem (also known as Laish), violently taking possession of it, settling there, and subsequently renaming it Dan. This event marks a significant geographical and historical shift for the tribe, highlighting their proactive, albeit often problematic, efforts to secure a stable inheritance within the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 19 concludes the detailed account of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, following the initial conquests under Joshua. This chapter meticulously outlines the boundaries and cities assigned to the remaining seven tribes (Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan) after the first five tribes had received their portions. Joshua 19:47 stands out as a unique deviation from the typical land allotment descriptions, as it immediately notes a problem with Dan's inheritance and describes their subsequent, self-initiated solution. This verse serves as a narrative bridge, foreshadowing the more extensive and critical account of the Danite migration found in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Migration of Dan"), which elaborates on the spiritual and moral failures associated with this move. The inclusion of this summary statement in Joshua emphasizes the immediate and practical challenges faced by the tribes in fully possessing their inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, which immediately follows Joshua, was characterized by Israel's struggle to fully dispossess the Canaanites and occupy the land promised by God. Dan's original inheritance was located in the fertile but strategically challenging Shephelah, bordering the powerful Philistines and situated between the territories of Judah and Ephraim. This region was densely populated by indigenous groups, including the Amorites, who, as [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - The Amorites Press Dan") notes, "pressed the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley." This historical pressure, coupled with the Danites' apparent inability or unwillingness to fully conquer their assigned territory, led to their perception of insufficiency. The act of conquest itself, while violent, was a common practice in the ancient Near East for establishing dominion and securing resources, though Israel's conquests were uniquely framed within the divine mandate to dispossess the Canaanites.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several significant themes. First, it highlights the **challenge of insufficiency and the struggle for inheritance**. Despite God's divine provision of land, the Danites found their portion inadequate, either due to its size, the strength of its inhabitants, or their own failure to fully conquer it. This tension between divine promise and human struggle is a recurring motif in the early history of Israel. Second, it illustrates **proactive, yet problematic, expansion**. Faced with constraints, the Danites took initiative to secure new territory, but this action, as detailed in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danite Migration and Idolatry"), was accompanied by significant moral and spiritual compromise, including idolatry and violence against a peaceful people. This foreshadows the broader pattern of disobedience and moral decline seen in the book of Judges. Finally, the renaming of Leshem to Dan underscores the theme of **establishing identity and territorial claim**. By renaming the city after their tribal patriarch, the Danites solidified their presence and identity in this new northern location, asserting their dominion and creating a lasting monument to their tribal name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Coast (Hebrew, _gevul_):** This term (גְּבוּל) refers to a "border," "boundary," or "territory." In this context, it signifies the geographical allotment or assigned land of the tribe of Dan. The KJV's use of "coast" here is an archaic usage meaning "frontier" or "district," not necessarily a shoreline, although Dan's original territory did extend towards the Mediterranean. The phrase "went out... for them" refers to the extent or allocation of this territory.
* **Went out [too little] (Hebrew, _yatza mehem_):** The Hebrew phrase יָצָא מֵהֶם (transliterated _yatza mehem_) literally means "went out from them" or "departed from them." The KJV's interpretive addition "[too little]" accurately captures the implied meaning of inadequacy or insufficiency. The territory allotted to Dan proved insufficient to sustain their growing population or to provide the security they desired, leading them to seek expansion beyond their divinely appointed borders.
* **Leshem (Hebrew, _Leshem_):** This city (לֶשֶׁם) is identified in other biblical texts, most notably in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danite Migration and Idolatry"), as Laish. It was a prosperous and peaceful Canaanite city in the far north of Canaan, near the source of the Jordan River. Its location made it strategically important, and its renaming to Dan by the conquering tribe marked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the region, establishing a new northernmost boundary for Israelite settlement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the coast of the children of Dan went out [too little] for them":** This opening clause establishes the core problem: Dan's inherited territory was perceived as inadequate. This inadequacy could stem from various factors, including the size of the land, its fertility, or, most significantly, the strong presence of unconquered indigenous inhabitants who prevented the Danites from fully possessing their inheritance, as implied by [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - The Amorites Press Dan into the Mountains").
* **"therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem":** This clause describes the Danites' decisive response to their territorial challenge. Instead of relying on divine aid to conquer their original inheritance or seeking a redistribution, they initiated an offensive expedition to the far north. The phrase "went up" indicates a geographical ascent, as Leshem/Laish was situated in a higher elevation in the northern reaches of the land.
* **"and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein":** This sequence of verbs vividly portrays the violent and complete conquest of Leshem. "Took it" signifies capture, "smote it with the edge of the sword" indicates a decisive and destructive military victory, often implying the extermination of its inhabitants (a practice common in ancient warfare and sometimes commanded by God for the Canaanites, though the specific context here is a self-initiated conquest). "Possessed it, and dwelt therein" confirms their successful occupation and permanent settlement in the new territory.
* **"and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father":** The final clause details the renaming of the conquered city. This act was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to assert ownership, commemorate a victory, or establish a new identity for a place. By renaming Leshem to Dan, the tribe firmly established their presence and identity in this new northern location, honoring their tribal patriarch and marking a permanent change in the city's identity, making it the new tribal center.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 19:47 employs several literary devices. **Narrative Compression** is evident as this single verse summarizes a significant historical event that is elaborated upon in much greater detail in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danite Migration and Idolatry"). The author of Joshua provides a concise overview, highlighting the outcome of the Danites' territorial struggle without delving into the moral complexities or the idolatry that accompanied their migration, which are central to the Judges account. The verse also utilizes **Eponymous Naming**, a common biblical device where a place is named or renamed after a person or group. The renaming of Leshem to Dan serves to solidify the tribal claim and establish a lasting memorial to the tribe in their new home. Furthermore, the stark contrast between the initial "too little" inheritance and the violent acquisition of a new territory creates a subtle **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the tribe's perceived need versus their aggressive solution, which, in the broader biblical narrative, often points to human self-reliance rather than divine trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 19:47, while seemingly a straightforward historical record, carries profound theological implications. It highlights the tension between God's perfect provision and human perceived inadequacy or failure to fully appropriate that provision. God had allotted a specific inheritance to Dan, yet the tribe found it "too little," perhaps due to their lack of faith or resolve to dispossess the inhabitants of their original territory (cf. [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - The Amorites Press Dan")). This led them to seek their own solution through conquest, a move that, while providing physical security, ultimately led to spiritual decline as detailed in the Book of Judges, where they adopted idolatry ([Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Judges 18:30-31 - Dan's Idolatry")). The verse implicitly raises questions about human initiative versus divine leading, and the consequences of seeking security and provision outside of God's prescribed means. It underscores the ongoing struggle of Israel to live faithfully within the covenant, even after receiving their promised land.

* [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - The Amorites Press Dan into the Mountains")
* [Judges 18:1-31](/judges/18-1 "Judges 18 - The Full Account of Dan's Migration and Idolatry")
* [Numbers 34:1-12](/numbers/34-12 "Numbers 34:1-12 - The Borders of the Promised Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the Danites in Joshua 19:47 offers a poignant reflection on human discontent and the pursuit of security. It reminds us that even when God has provided, our perception of "enough" can be distorted by fear, ambition, or a lack of faith to fully claim what is ours in Christ. The Danites, finding their inheritance "too little," took matters into their own hands, initiating a costly and ultimately spiritually compromising migration. While we are not called to physical conquest today, the underlying principle remains: How do we respond when our circumstances feel insufficient, or when challenges in our "allotted" spiritual or material inheritance seem overwhelming? Do we trust in God's provision and power to overcome obstacles within our current sphere, or do we seek alternative, self-reliant solutions that may lead us away from God's best? This passage challenges us to examine our contentment, our courage in the face of spiritual warfare, and our reliance on God's strength to possess the blessings and overcome the challenges He has placed before us. It is a call to faithful perseverance and trust, even when the path seems difficult.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel your "coast" has gone out "too little" for you, leading to discontent or a desire for something different?**
* **How might the Danites' failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants of their original territory relate to our own struggles with spiritual strongholds or unaddressed sin in our lives?**
* **When faced with perceived insufficiency, what is your first impulse: to trust God for strength and provision within your current circumstances, or to seek alternative solutions through your own efforts?**
* **What are the potential spiritual compromises or "idolatries" that can arise when we pursue security or fulfillment outside of God's perfect will and timing?**

### FAQ

**Why was Dan's original inheritance considered "too little" for them?**

Answer: The text states their "coast... went out [too little] for them," implying inadequacy. This was likely due to a combination of factors. Their original territory in the Shephelah was fertile but bordered the powerful Philistines and was densely populated by other indigenous groups, notably the Amorites. [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - The Amorites Press Dan") explicitly states that the Amorites "pressed the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley." This suggests that the Danites either lacked the military strength, the faith, or the resolve to fully dispossess these inhabitants and claim their divinely allotted land, leading them to perceive their portion as insufficient for their needs and security.

**Did God approve of the Danites' migration and conquest of Leshem?**

Answer: The book of Joshua simply records the event as a historical fact without explicit divine approval or disapproval in this verse. However, the fuller account in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danite Migration and Idolatry") reveals significant spiritual compromises associated with this migration. The Danites stole Micah's idol and priest, establishing idolatry in their new northern settlement ([Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Judges 18:30-31 - Dan's Idolatry")). This suggests that while God permits human actions, He does not necessarily endorse those undertaken outside of His will or in defiance of His commands, especially when they involve idolatry and violence against a peaceful people (Leshem/Laish was described as "quiet and secure" in [Judges 18:7](/judges/18-7 "Judges 18:7 - Laish Described as Peaceful")). The subsequent spiritual decline of the Danites indicates this was not a divinely sanctioned move in the same way as the initial conquest of Canaan.

**What happened to Dan's original territory after they migrated north?**

Answer: While the main body of the tribe of Dan migrated north to Leshem/Dan, it's likely that some Danites remained in their original southern territory, or at least maintained a presence there for a time. However, the tribe as a whole became primarily associated with their northern settlement. The original territory eventually became absorbed into the control of other tribes or was contested by the Philistines. The migration effectively marked a significant shift in the tribal map of Israel, with Dan becoming the northernmost tribe, giving rise to the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" to denote the full extent of Israelite territory ([Judges 20:1](/judges/20-1 "Judges 20:1 - From Dan to Beersheba")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the Danites' search for a sufficient inheritance, culminating in their self-initiated conquest and relocation, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Israel's struggle to fully possess their promised land, and Dan's particular failure to find rest and security within their God-given portion, foreshadows humanity's deeper spiritual quest for true rest and an enduring inheritance. Just as Dan sought a physical dwelling place, humanity yearns for a secure home and a lasting portion. However, this verse, especially when read in light of [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danite Migration and Idolatry"), reveals the futility and spiritual compromise of seeking this inheritance through human strength and self-serving means.

In Christ, we find the ultimate and truly sufficient inheritance. He is the one who perfectly fulfills God's promises, providing not a piece of land, but eternal life and spiritual rest ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Rest of God's People")). Unlike the Danites who failed to dispossess their enemies, Jesus, the true Joshua, has definitively conquered sin, death, and the devil, securing for us an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). The Danites' renaming of Leshem to Dan, establishing their identity, points to our new identity in Christ, where we are no longer defined by our earthly struggles or insufficient portions, but by our adoption as children of God ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")). Our true "coast" or inheritance is not found in a geographical location secured by the sword, but in the spiritual realities of God's kingdom, fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is our peace and our ultimate dwelling place ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 1:34

And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

Judges 1:35

But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.

Judges 18:1

¶ In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

Judges 18:29

And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city [was] Laish at the first.