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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/49.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/49.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Dan will govern his people, like any other tribe in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/49.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/49.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/49.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Dan shall render justice to his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/49.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Dan, you are the tribe that will bring justice to Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/49.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"[Dan] will hand down decisions for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/49.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Dan will be a ruler for his people. They will be like the other tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/49.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Dan will judge his people as one of Israel's tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/49.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/49.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Dan judges his people, "" As one of the tribes of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Dan doth judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people like an- other tribe in Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people just like any other tribe in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/49.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Dan shall achieve justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people as if the tribes of Israel were one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Dan shall judge his people, as one tribe too in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/49-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12922" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Jacob Blesses His Sons</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1835.htm" title="1835: dān (N-proper-ms) -- Judge, a son of Jacob, also his desc. and their territory, also a place in N. Isr. ">Dan</a> <a href="/hebrew/1777.htm" title="1777: yā·ḏîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To judge. Or duwn; a primitive roy a straight course, i.e. Sail direct.">shall provide justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">for his people</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: kə·’a·ḥaḏ (Prep-k:: Number-msc) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">as one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">of the tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1-31</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. / So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. / And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Judges 13:2-25</a></span><br />Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. / The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son. / Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/5-16.htm">Judges 5:16-18</a></span><br />Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. / Gilead remained beyond the Jordan. Dan, why did you linger by the ships? Asher stayed at the coast and remained in his harbors. / Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/15-20.htm">Judges 15:20</a></span><br />And Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Judges 16:31</a></span><br />Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-22.htm">Deuteronomy 33:22</a></span><br />Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/14-1.htm">Judges 14:1-20</a></span><br />One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Judges 17:1-6</a></span><br />Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim / said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have the silver here with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD!” / And when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I wholly dedicate the silver to the LORD for my son’s benefit, to make a graven image and a molten idol. Therefore I will now return it to you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-1.htm">Judges 16:1-3</a></span><br />One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her. / When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They were quiet throughout the night, saying, “Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.” / But Samson lay there only until midnight, when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and both gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. Then he put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-4.htm">Judges 16:4-22</a></span><br />Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. / The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” / So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Judges 16:23-30</a></span><br />Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.” / And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.” / And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-5.htm">Revelation 7:5</a></span><br />From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-28.htm">Matthew 19:28</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-30.htm">Luke 22:30</a></span><br />so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Genesis 30:6</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/10-25.htm">Numbers 10:25</a></b></br> And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, <i>which was</i> the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host <i>was</i> Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-22.htm">Deuteronomy 33:22</a></b></br> And of Dan he said, Dan <i>is</i> a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/46-23.htm">Dan</a> <a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/31-53.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/genesis/45-11.htm">Provide</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Dan</a> <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Provide</a> <a href="/genesis/49-28.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 49</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Jacob calls his sons to bless them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Their blessing in particular.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-29.htm">He charges them about his burial.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">He dies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Dan shall provide justice for his people</b><br>The tribe of Dan is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Jacob's son Dan. This phrase suggests a role of leadership and judgment within the tribe. Historically, the tribe of Dan was known for its struggles in securing its allotted territory, as described in the Book of Judges. The mention of providing justice indicates a responsibility to uphold righteousness and fairness, possibly through leaders or judges arising from the tribe. This aligns with the role of Samson, a judge from the tribe of Dan, who delivered Israel from Philistine oppression.<p><b>as one of the tribes of Israel</b><br>This phrase emphasizes Dan's inclusion and equality among the tribes of Israel. Despite its challenges and eventual migration to the northern part of the land, Dan remains an integral part of the nation. The tribe's role in providing justice is not isolated but is part of the collective identity and mission of Israel. This reflects the unity and diversity within the nation, where each tribe has a unique contribution to the whole. The mention of Dan in the context of justice may also foreshadow the eschatological role of the tribes in the future, as seen in the prophetic visions of Ezekiel and Revelation, where the tribes are restored and play a part in God's ultimate plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/dan.htm">Dan</a></b><br>Dan is one of the twelve sons of Jacob, making him one of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His mother was Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe of Dan is known for its role in the history of Israel, including its later struggles with idolatry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The father of Dan and the other patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. In <a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Genesis 49</a>, Jacob is on his deathbed, blessing his sons and prophesying their futures.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribes_of_israel.htm">Tribes of Israel</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob's twelve sons, each forming a tribe. These tribes collectively form the nation of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/justice.htm">Justice</a></b><br>The concept of justice is central to this verse, indicating Dan's role in providing fairness and righteousness among the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy</a></b><br>Jacob's words in <a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Genesis 49</a> are prophetic, speaking to the future roles and characteristics of each tribe.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_justice.htm">Role of Justice</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to uphold justice in our communities, reflecting God's character. Dan's role reminds us of the importance of fairness and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_fulfillment.htm">Prophetic Fulfillment</a></b><br>Understanding the prophetic nature of Jacob's blessings can deepen our appreciation for God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plans throughout history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_idolatry.htm">Guarding Against Idolatry</a></b><br>The tribe of Dan's later struggles with idolatry serve as a warning to remain faithful to God and avoid the pitfalls of turning to false gods or worldly distractions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Dan's calling to provide justice highlights the responsibility of leaders to act with integrity and fairness, a principle applicable to all areas of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>Our actions and decisions can have lasting impacts on future generations, just as the tribes' characteristics influenced Israel's history.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 49</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_i_show_mercy.htm">Why is Dan excluded from Revelation's 144,000 list?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_tribe_of_judah_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Judah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_dan_missing_from_144,000.htm">Why is Dan excluded from Revelation's 144,000 list?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/jacob's_prophecies_in_the_bible.htm">What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16, 17) <span class= "bld">Dan.</span>--In passing on to the sons of the handmaids it was necessary to assure them of an independent rank among their brethren. The four tribes descended from them did always hold an inferior position, but Jacob by his words to Dan prevented their ever becoming subject states. Playing, then, upon the name Dan (a <span class= "ital">judge</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>he says that he shall judge his people as a distinct and separate tribe, possessed of all those rights of self-government and tribal independence which this rank implied. It seems also that Dan's symbol was a serpent, and from this Jacob prophesies that though too weak a tribe to take the foremost place in war, yet that Dan should not be without military importance; and this was especially the case in the days of Samson. The word rendered <span class= "ital">adder </span>is more exactly the <span class= "ital">arrow-snake, </span>which lies in wait in the "path," a narrow track, and springs upon its prey as it passes. A horse bitten in this way would rear and throw its rider, who would then be in the power of his assailant.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 16-18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.</span> With a play upon his name, the firstborn son of Rachel's handmaid, Bilhah, is described as one who should occupy an important place and exercise highly beneficial functions in the future commonwealth, enjoying independence and self-government as one of the tribes of Israel (Herder, and others), and performing the office of an administrator among the People not of his own tribe merely, but also of all Israel, a prediction pointing perhaps to the transient supremacy enjoyed by Dan over the other tribes in the days of Samson (Onkelos, <span class="accented">et alii</span>). <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.</span> The <span class="hebrew">שְׁפִיפון</span>, from the Syriac <span class="hebrew">שֶׁפַפ</span>, to glide (Gesenins), from <span class="hebrew">שׁוּפ</span>, to sting (Kalisch), <span class="hebrew">שָׁפַפ</span>, to bite (Furst), was the horned serpent, <span class="accented">cerastes</span>, of the color of sand, and marked with white and black spots, which was exceedingly dangerous to passers-by, its bite being poisonous and fatal. The allusion has been almost unanimously explained as pointing to Samson (<a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Judges 16:28</a>), but the tribe in general appears not to have been entirely destitute of the treacherous and formidable characteristics here depicted (<a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Judges 18:27</a>). "It is certainly observable that the first introduction of idolatry in Israel is ascribed to the tribe of Dan (<a href="/judges/18.htm">Judges 18</a>.), and that in the numbering of the tribes in <a href="/revelation/7.htm">Revelation 7</a>. the name of Dan is omitted. From these or other causes many of the Fathers (Irenaeus, Ambrose, Augustine, Theodoret) were led to believe that Antichrist should spring from the tribe of Dan" ('Speaker's Commentary'). <span class="cmt_word">I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.</span> To discover in this beautiful and tender ejaculation of the dying patriarch an apprehensive sigh lest his strength should be exhausted before his benediction was completed (Tuch), or a prayer that God might speedily effect his painless dissolution (Hengstenberg), or a device for dividing his benedictions, and separating the group of Judah from that of Joseph (Lange), is surely to fail in seizing its hidden spirit. It is doubtful if even the usual interpretation, that Jacob here expresses his hope and expectation that God would help and succor his descendants (Calvin, Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, Murphy, and others), exhausts its rich significance. That, speaking in their name, he does anticipate the deliverance of Jehovah" In thy help do I hope, O Jehovah! - is apparent; but nothing surely can be more natural than to suppose that the dying patriarch, at the moment when he was formally transmitting to his children the theocratic blessing, had his thoughts lifted up towards that great salvation, of which all these material and temporal benedictions pronounced upon his sons were but the shadows and the types, and of which perhaps he had been incidentally reminded by the mention of the biting serpent, to which he had just likened Dan ('Speaker's Commentary'). It is noticeable that this is the first occurrence of the term salvation (<span class="hebrew">יְשׁוּעָח</span>, from the root <span class="hebrew">יָשַׁע</span>, unused in Kal, to be roomy or spacious, hence in the Hiphil to set free or deliver). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/49-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Dan</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(dān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1835.htm">Strong's 1835: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall provide justice</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדִ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1777.htm">Strong's 1777: </a> </span><span class="str2">A straight course, sail direct</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for his people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as one</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאַחַ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’a·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the tribes</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְטֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·ṭê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/49-16.htm">Genesis 49:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/49-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 49:16 Dan will judge his people as one (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/49-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 49:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/49-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 49:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>