from דִּין; judge; Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in Palestine colonized by them; Daniel
Transliteration:Dân
Pronunciation:dawn
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma דָּן (Dân, `{{H1835}}`) is a proper noun derived directly from the verbal root דִּין (diyn, `{{H1777}}`), meaning "to judge," "to contend," or "to plead a cause." Therefore, the name Dan inherently carries the meaning "judge" or "he has judged." This etymological connection is foundational to understanding its significance. The semantic range of Dân encompasses several distinct but related entities within the biblical narrative:
1. **A Person:** Primarily, Dan refers to the fifth son of Jacob and the first son born to Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant ([[Genesis 30:6]]). His mother's declaration at his birth, "God has judged me and has also heard my voice and given me a son," explicitly links his name to the concept of divine judgment and vindication.
2. **A Tribe:** Subsequently, Dan designates one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's son Dan. This tribal identity is central to its biblical occurrences, including its census numbers, encampment position, and territorial inheritance.
3. **A Territory:** The name also refers to the geographical region or territory allotted to the tribe of Dan in the land of Canaan ([[Joshua 19:40-48]]).
4. **A City:** Most notably, "Dan" became the name of a significant city in the extreme north of Israel, originally known as Laish or Leshem, which was conquered and renamed by the migrating Danites ([[Judges 18:29]]). This city forms one end of the common biblical expression "from Dan to Beersheba," signifying the entire extent of the land of Israel.
5. **Derivative Name:** While less direct, the Strong's definition also notes a connection to "Daniel," a name which means "God is my judge," further underscoring the root's meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of דָּן (Dân) span the Pentateuch, historical books, and prophetic literature, revealing a complex and often challenging trajectory for the tribe and its namesake city.
The birth narrative in [[Genesis 30:6]] establishes the foundational meaning of Dan as "God has judged me," reflecting Rachel's sense of vindication. Jacob's prophetic blessing in [[Genesis 49:16]] further reinforces this, stating, "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel," suggesting a future role in leadership or the administration of justice.
In the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Dan is consistently listed. At the first census, Dan was the largest tribe after Judah ([[Numbers 1:38-39]]), and it maintained a significant population at the second census ([[Numbers 26:42-43]]). The Danites encamped on the north side of the Tabernacle and formed the rear guard of the marching formation ([[Numbers 2:25-31]]), indicating a position of strength and protection.
Upon entering Canaan, the tribe of Dan received an inheritance in the central coastal plain ([[Joshua 19:40-48]]), but they struggled to dispossess the Amorites and Philistines from their allotted territory ([[Judges 1:34]]). This failure led to a significant migration of a portion of the tribe northward, where they conquered the city of Laish/Leshem and renamed it Dan ([[Judges 18:27-29]]). This new location, at the very northern tip of the land, became a prominent geographical marker, giving rise to the idiom "from Dan to Beersheba" ([[Judges 20:1]], [[1 Samuel 3:20]], etc.), signifying the entire breadth of Israel.
Tragically, the city of Dan also became a center of idolatry. The migrating Danites appropriated the idolatrous cult of Micah ([[Judges 18:30-31]]), and later, Jeroboam I established one of his golden calves there to prevent the northern tribes from going to Jerusalem for worship ([[1 Kings 12:28-30]]). This act marked Dan as a stronghold of apostasy, a place where the true worship of Yahweh was corrupted.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for דָּן (Dân, `{{H1835}}`) is its root, דִּין (diyn, `{{H1777}}`), which means "to judge, contend, plead." This root is foundational to understanding the name's inherent meaning of judgment and vindication.
Other related Hebrew words and concepts include:
* **דָּנִיֵּאל (Dâniyyêʼl, `{{H1840}}`):** The name Daniel, meaning "God is my judge," directly incorporates the root of Dan, emphasizing divine judgment.
* **מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, `{{H4941}}`):** This common Hebrew term for "justice," "judgment," or "ordinance" is conceptually linked to the role implied by the name Dan.
* **שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, `{{H8199}}`):** The verb "to judge," often used in the context of delivering justice or governing, resonates with the etymology of Dan.
* **Tribal Identity:** The concept of the twelve tribes of Israel is central to understanding Dan's place in the covenant community.
* **Inheritance:** The allocation and challenges associated with the Danite territory highlight themes of divine promise and human failure in possessing the land.
* **Apostasy/Idolatry:** The city of Dan's later history as a center for false worship is a significant theological motif, contrasting with the initial promise of judgment and justice.
* **Geographical Markers:** The phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" serves as a crucial geographical and symbolic representation of the entire land of Israel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דָּן (Dân) is multifaceted, embodying themes of divine judgment, tribal identity, human failure, and the consequences of apostasy.
Firstly, the name itself, "judge," points to God's attribute of justice and His role in vindicating His people. Rachel's cry, "God has judged me," at Dan's birth underscores the divine justice at play in the barren woman receiving a child. Jacob's prophecy that "Dan shall judge his people" suggests a divinely ordained role for the tribe in upholding justice within Israel, perhaps even producing judges or leaders.
Secondly, the story of the tribe of Dan serves as a poignant example of the complexities of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Their initial failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants of their allotted territory, as commanded by God, led to their migration. This act, while perhaps pragmatic, represented a departure from their divinely appointed inheritance. The subsequent establishment of an idolatrous cult at the city of Dan, particularly under Jeroboam, marked a profound theological failure. This transformation of a place named for divine judgment into a center of false worship is a stark reminder of the dangers of spiritual compromise and the ease with which a people can turn from the Lord.
Finally, the notable omission of the tribe of Dan from the listing of the 144,000 in Revelation 7 is a point of significant theological discussion. While various interpretations exist, some scholars connect this omission to the tribe's historical pattern of apostasy and its role in establishing idolatry at the northern extreme of Israel, symbolizing a departure from the covenant. Thus, Dan's narrative moves from a promising beginning rooted in divine vindication to a cautionary tale of spiritual decline and the consequences of disobedience.
### Summary
דָּן (Dân, `{{H1835}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "judge" or "he has judged," derived from the root דִּין (diyn, `{{H1777}}`). This name applies primarily to Jacob's fifth son, the tribe descended from him, their allotted territory, and most notably, the city of Dan in northern Israel. The name's etymological connection to divine judgment is established at Dan's birth ([[Genesis 30:6]]) and reinforced in Jacob's blessing ([[Genesis 49:16]]). However, the tribe's history is marked by challenges, including their inability to fully conquer their initial inheritance, leading to a significant migration northward. The city of Dan became a crucial geographical marker, signifying the northern extent of Israel ("from Dan to Beersheba"), but it also tragically became a prominent center of idolatry, first with Micah's cult and later with Jeroboam's golden calf ([[1 Kings 12:28-30]]). Theologically, Dan's narrative highlights God's attribute of justice, the importance of tribal identity within Israel, and serves as a somber illustration of the consequences of disobedience and apostasy, culminating in its potential symbolic exclusion in eschatological visions.
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