Laish, an ancient city mentioned in the Bible, is located in the northern part of the land of Canaan. It is most notably referenced in the context of the tribe of Dan's migration and conquest during the period of the Judges. The city is also known as Leshem in some biblical passages.

Geographical Context:
Laish was situated near the sources of the Jordan River, in a fertile and well-watered area. This strategic location made it an attractive target for the Danites, who were seeking a new territory due to their inability to secure their allotted inheritance in the central part of Canaan.

Biblical References:
The primary biblical account of Laish is found in the Book of Judges. Judges 18:7 describes the city as follows: "The five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure. There was no ruler humiliating them in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone."

The narrative continues in Judges 18:27-29, where the Danites attack and capture the city: "Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it. They named the city Dan, after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel; however, the name of the city was formerly Laish."

Historical and Cultural Context:
Laish was inhabited by a people living in a manner similar to the Sidonians, indicating a peaceful and prosperous community. The lack of alliances or strong defenses made them vulnerable to the Danite invasion. The capture of Laish by the Danites marked a significant expansion of their territory and the establishment of the city of Dan, which became an important center in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Significance in Israelite History:
The conquest of Laish and its renaming to Dan is significant in the history of Israel as it represents the fulfillment of the Danites' quest for a homeland. The city of Dan later became one of the two centers of worship established by Jeroboam I, where he set up a golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-30), leading to idolatry in the northern kingdom.

Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological excavations at Tel Dan, the site identified with ancient Laish, have uncovered significant remains, including fortifications, gates, and religious artifacts. These findings provide valuable insights into the city's history and its role in the broader context of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.

Conclusion:
The account of Laish serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics of tribal movements and territorial conquests in the biblical narrative. It highlights the challenges faced by the tribes of Israel in securing their inheritance and the consequences of their actions in the unfolding history of the nation.Laish

a lion

Laish

(lion), father of Phaltiel, to whom Saul had given Michal, David's wife. (1 Samuel 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:15)

Laish

See DAN.

A lion.

(1.) A city of the Sidonians, in the extreme north of Palestine (Judges 18:7, 14); called also Leshem (Joshua 19:47) and Dan (Judges 18:7, 29; Jeremiah 8:16). It lay near the sources of the Jordan, about 4 miles from Paneas. The restless and warlike tribe of Dan (q.v.), looking out for larger possessions, invaded this country and took Laish with its territory. It is identified with the ruin Tell-el-Kady, "the mound of the judge," to the north of the Waters of Merom (Joshua 11:5).

(2.) A place mentioned in Isaiah 10:30. It has been supposed to be the modern el-Isawiyeh, about a mile north-east of Jerusalem.

(3.) The father of Phalti (1 Samuel 25:44).

LAISH

la'-ish (layish):

(1) A city in the upper Jordan valley, apparently colonized by the Sidonians, which was captured by the Danites and called DAN (which see) (Judges 18:7, etc.; Isaiah 10:30 the King James Version). In Joshua 19:47 the name appears as "Leshem."

(2) A Benjamite, father of Palti or Paltiel, to whom Michal, David's wife, was given by Saul (1 Samuel 25:44 2 Samuel 3:15).

3889. Lush -- Laish
... 3888, 3889. Lush. 3890 . Laish. Transliteration: Lush Phonetic Spelling: (loosh)
Short Definition: Laish. Word Origin the same as Layish, qv. Laish ...
/hebrew/3889.htm - 5k

3919. Layish -- "lion," a city and region in N. Canaan
... 3918, 3919. Layish. 3919a . "lion," a city and region in N. Canaan.
Transliteration: Layish Phonetic Spelling: (lah'-yish) Short Definition: Laish. ...
/hebrew/3919.htm - 5k

3919b. Layish -- an Israelite
... an Israelite. Transliteration: Layish Short Definition: Laish. Word Origin from
the same as layish Definition an Isr. NASB Word Usage Laish (2). ...
/hebrew/3919b.htm - 5k

3919a. Layish -- "lion," a city and region in N. Canaan
... 3919, 3919a. Layish. 3919b . "lion," a city and region in N. Canaan.
Transliteration: Layish Short Definition: Laish. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3919a.htm - 5k

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
... When he is at peace and dwells securely, as the people of Laish, he troubles himself
with nothing, but dreams over his days, but that is a decaying condition. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi and watch unto.htm

Chapter xiv
... Almost without exception commentators locate "Dan" at the site of Dan Laish, about
ten miles almost due north of Lake Merom, that is the town frequently ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... A few outposts were established in the Jordan valley, as for example, Laish, later
known as Dan, at the foot of Mount Hermon, and Jericho, at the southern end ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
... Concerning the Danites invading Laish, or Leshem, which being subdued they called
Dan, he speaks thus; "But they, travelling a day's journey through the great ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 67 pamias paneas the.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... too, as Isaiah had predicted, the main path of invasion from the North,(102) by
Ai, Migron, Michmash, the Pass, Geba, Ramah, Gibeah of Saul, Laish, and poor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Daniel, apocryphal additions to, 359. Danites, their conquest of Laish, 243,
245. Darius Hystaspes, 261, 345. Darius the Median, 328. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

Fear and Faith
... So, for instance, the people of that secluded little town of Laish, whose peaceful
existence amidst warlike neighbours is described with such singular beauty ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/fear and faith.htm

The Israelites
... and Dan hardly existed as separate tribes except in name; their territories were
absorbed into that of Judah, and it was only in the city of Laish in the far ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Its principal source is at Tell el-Qadi, where it rises out of a basaltic
mound whose summit is crowned by the ruins of Laish.*. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Historical Books.
... Chap.12:1-6. The book closes with a two-fold appendix, recording, first, the conquest
of Laish by the Danites, and in connection with this the story of Micah ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Laish (8 Occurrences)
... The restless and warlike tribe of Dan (qv), looking out for larger possessions,
invaded this country and took Laish with its territory. ...LAISH. ...
/l/laish.htm - 10k

La'ish (5 Occurrences)
La'ish. Laish, La'ish. Laishah . ... (DBY RSV). 1 Samuel 25:44 Now Saul had given
Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim ...
/l/la'ish.htm - 7k

Tribe (250 Occurrences)
... Desiring an extension of territory, the Danites sent out spies, who recommended
an attack upon Laish, a city at the north end of the Jordan valley. ...
/t/tribe.htm - 45k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... where they found Jonathan and consulted the oracle through him (Judges 18:1-5).
Having received a favorable answer, they set out and came to Laish, and on ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

Lion (92 Occurrences)
... (4) layish, translated "old lion" or "lion" (Job 4:11 Proverbs 30:30 Isaiah 30:6).
Compare Arabic laith, "lion": layish, "Laish," or "Leshem" (Joshua 19:47 ...
/l/lion.htm - 46k

Gallim (2 Occurrences)
... It was the home of Palti the son of Laish (1 Samuel 25:44), and it is by many
authorities identified with the Gilgal on the North border of Judah (Joshua 15:7 ...
/g/gallim.htm - 8k

Paltiel (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV). 1 Samuel 25:44 Now Saul had given Michal
his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim. ...
/p/paltiel.htm - 7k

Phalti (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Deliverance of the Lord, the son of Laish of
Gallim (1 Samuel 25:44)= Phaltiel (2 Samuel 3:15). Michal ...
/p/phalti.htm - 7k

Dan (71 Occurrences)
... Fields. This old border city was originally called Laish. ... time. The town rebuilt
on the site of Laish they called Dan-see following article. ...
/d/dan.htm - 41k

Michal (18 Occurrences)
... When David was outlawed and exiled, she was married to Palti or Paltiel, the son
of Laish of Gallim (1 Samuel 25:44), but was, despite Palti's sorrowful protest ...
/m/michal.htm - 16k

Who was Dan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Michal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of David and Michal? | GotQuestions.org

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