Genesis 49:16

Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

Dan {H1835} shall judge {H1777} his people {H5971}, as one {H259} of the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478}.

"Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Isra'el.

Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.

Commentary

Genesis 49:16 is part of Jacob's final blessings and prophecies over his twelve sons, which foretell the future characteristics and destinies of the tribes of Israel. This particular verse focuses on Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the first son born to Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid.

Context

As Jacob lay on his deathbed, he gathered his sons to pronounce prophetic words over each of them. These pronouncements were not merely blessings but often included insights into the nature of the son and the future trajectory of their descendants as a distinct tribe within Israel. For Dan, Jacob's words immediately highlight a defining characteristic of the tribe that would emerge.

Key Themes

  • Justice and Judgment: The primary theme is Dan's role as a judge. The phrase "Dan shall judge his people" indicates a future leadership role marked by discernment, arbitration, and the upholding of law and righteousness. This prophecy finds a notable fulfillment in figures like Samson, who was from the tribe of Dan and served as a judge over Israel for twenty years (Judges 15:20).
  • Tribal Equality: The phrase "as one of the tribes of Israel" is significant. Dan was born of a concubine, which could have implied a lesser status. However, Jacob's prophecy unequivocally affirms Dan's full and equal standing among the other tribes, ensuring their legitimate place within the covenant nation.
  • Prophetic Naming: The prophecy directly relates to the meaning of Dan's name. When Rachel named him, she declared, "God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan" (Genesis 30:6). Jacob's words here echo and reinforce this initial declaration of judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The name Dan (ื“ึธึผืŸ, Dan) itself means "judge" or "he has judged." This verse is a direct wordplay on the name, emphasizing the future role and character of the tribe. Jacob's prophecy is an affirmation of the meaning inherent in Dan's very identity.

Reflection and Application

This verse reminds us that God's plan often unfolds across generations, with the character and calling of individuals and groups being foretold and fulfilled over time. It also highlights the importance of justice and discernment in leadership, a quality highly valued in God's eyes. Furthermore, it underscores that God uses all people, regardless of their origin or perceived status, to accomplish His purposes, integrating them fully into His greater plan. The tribe of Dan, despite its later complexities and idolatrous tendencies in later history, was initially prophesied with a noble and crucial role within Israel.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 33:22 (4 votes)

    ยถ And of Dan he said, Dan [is] a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

  • Genesis 30:6 (4 votes)

    And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

  • Judges 18:26 (2 votes)

    And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they [were] too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.

  • Judges 18:27 (2 votes)

    ยถ And they took [the things] which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people [that were] at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

  • Judges 15:20 (2 votes)

    And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

  • Numbers 10:25 (2 votes)

    And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, [which was] the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host [was] Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

  • Judges 18:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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.