the same as לַיִשׁ; Laish, the name of two places in Palestine; Laish. Compare לוּשׁ.
Transliteration:Layish
Pronunciation:lah'-yish
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma לַיִשׁ (Layish), designated by `{{H3919}}`, primarily functions as a proper noun, referring to a geographical location. According to the provided base definition, it denotes "the name of two places in Palestine." While the identical Hebrew spelling לַיִשׁ also signifies "lion" (a homograph sometimes associated with the same Strong's number but distinct in meaning and contextual application), the focus of this particular entry is unequivocally on the place name. The semantic range is therefore limited to its function as a toponym, identifying specific pre-Israelite settlements that played a role in the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most prominent biblical occurrence of Layish as a place name is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in the narrative of the Danites' migration and conquest.
* In [[Judges 18:7]], Layish is described as a city inhabited by a people living "in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting." This depiction highlights their isolation and lack of military preparedness, making them vulnerable. They were "far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone," emphasizing their detachment from traditional alliances.
* The Danite spies investigate Layish ([[Judges 18:14]]), leading to the tribe's decision to conquer it.
* The conquest itself is recounted in [[Judges 18:27-28]], where the Danites strike the inhabitants and burn the city.
* Crucially, [[Judges 18:29]] records the renaming of the city: "And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish." This act of renaming signifies a change in sovereignty and identity, marking the establishment of the Danite presence in the far north.
* It is widely accepted by scholars that Layish is identical to Leshem (לֶשֶׁם, `{{H3908}}`) mentioned in [[Joshua 19:47]], where the territory of Dan is described as extending to Leshem, which they captured and renamed Dan. This confirms the singular primary location, despite the base definition mentioning "two places," which might refer to Leshem as a variant or a less significant, unrecorded second site.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Leshem** (לֶשֶׁם, `{{H3908}}`): As noted, this city in [[Joshua 19:47]] is almost universally identified with Layish, indicating either a variant spelling or an older name for the same location before its conquest by Dan.
* **Dan** (דָּן, `{{H1835}}`): This is the new name given to Layish after its conquest by the tribe of Dan. The renaming is a direct consequence of the events in Judges 18 and signifies the appropriation of the territory by Israel.
* **Sidonians**: The description of Layish's inhabitants living "after the manner of the Sidonians" ([[Judges 18:7]]) connects the city culturally or ethnically to the Phoenician sphere of influence, underscoring its non-Israelite origins and perhaps its commercial ties.
* **Homograph (Lion)**: While not directly related to the place name's function, the fact that לַיִשׁ (Layish, `{{H3919}}`) also means "lion" is a notable linguistic curiosity. This shared spelling, though semantically distinct in context, occasionally leads to scholarly speculation about the original character of the region or a lost etymological link, though no direct biblical evidence supports this for the place name itself.
### Theological Significance
The narrative surrounding Layish carries several layers of theological significance:
* **Divine Provision and Inheritance**: The conquest of Layish by the Danites, who had struggled to secure their initial inheritance in the south, demonstrates God's continued provision for His people to possess the promised land ([[Joshua 1:3]]). It illustrates a facet of Israel's territorial expansion and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.
* **Vulnerability and Judgment**: The inhabitants of Layish are portrayed as living in a state of naive security, isolated and without external support. Their peaceful, unsuspecting nature ultimately renders them vulnerable to the Danite invasion. This can be interpreted as a form of divine judgment upon the pre-Israelite inhabitants, allowing Israel to settle.
* **Identity and Renaming**: The renaming of Layish to Dan is a powerful theological act. It signifies the imposition of Israelite identity and the establishment of a tribal center within the promised land. This act of renaming by the conquering tribe asserts their claim and marks the territory as belonging to the covenant people.
* **Seeds of Apostasy**: Tragically, the city of Dan (formerly Layish) later becomes a notorious center for idolatry in the northern kingdom, particularly under Jeroboam I, who set up a golden calf there ([[1 Kings 12:29-30]]). This subsequent history, while not directly related to the initial conquest of Layish, casts a significant theological shadow, illustrating how a place of Israelite settlement and inheritance could become a focal point for spiritual deviation and national apostasy.
### Summary
Layish (לַיִשׁ, `{{H3919}}`) is a crucial geographical place name in the Old Testament, primarily identified as a pre-Israelite city in the northern reaches of Canaan. It is most prominently featured in [[Judges 18]], where it is depicted as an isolated, unsuspecting settlement that falls to the migrating tribe of Dan. Following its conquest, Layish is renamed Dan ([[Judges 18:29]]), a pivotal act signifying the Danites' establishment in the north and the appropriation of the land. Scholars widely equate Layish with Leshem (לֶשֶׁם, `{{H3908}}`) from [[Joshua 19:47]]. The narrative surrounding Layish underscores themes of divine provision for Israel's inheritance, the vulnerability of those outside the covenant, and the establishment of Israelite identity through conquest and renaming. Furthermore, the subsequent history of Dan as a center of idolatry adds a complex theological dimension, highlighting the potential for even divinely allotted places to become sites of spiritual decline.
TRV