Topical Encyclopedia Dan, a city located in the northernmost part of ancient Israel, holds significant historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative. Originally known as Laish, the city was conquered and renamed by the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This event is recorded in the Book of Judges, where the Danites, seeking a territory of their own, captured Laish and established it as their own city (Judges 18:27-29).The city of Dan became infamous for the establishment of idolatry, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that marked a departure from the worship of Yahweh. This idolatrous practice began when the Danites, after capturing Laish, set up a carved image for worship. Judges 18:30-31 states, "The Danites set up for themselves the carved image, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. So they set up for themselves Micah’s carved image, and it was there the whole time the house of God was in Shiloh." The establishment of idolatry in Dan was further solidified during the reign of King Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel following the division of the united monarchy. In an effort to consolidate his rule and prevent the people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam set up two golden calves as objects of worship, one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This act is recorded in 1 Kings 12:28-30 : "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.' One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves." The idolatry established in Dan had long-lasting effects on the spiritual state of the northern kingdom. It became a center of false worship, leading the people away from the covenantal relationship with Yahweh. The prophets of Israel, including Hosea and Amos, later condemned the idolatrous practices that had taken root in Dan and other parts of the northern kingdom. Dan's association with idolatry serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of turning away from the worship of the one true God. The city's history is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of syncretism and idolatry. Nave's Topical Index Judges 18:1In 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 to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 12:28,29 Amos 8:14 Library The Sibylline Oracles. The Assyrian Captivity The Historical Books. On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ... The Twelve Minor Prophets. In Judaea The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Prophecies The Mystery Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ... Resources Is there any truth to The Da Vinci code? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened to the lost tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org What are the twelve tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org Dan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Dan: A City of the Tribe of Dan: Also Called Laish, and Leshem Dan: A City of the Tribe of Dan: Capture by Ben-Hadad Dan: A City of the Tribe of Dan: Captured by the People of Dan Dan: A City of the Tribe of Dan: Idolatry Established At Dan: Fifth Son of Jacob and Bilhah Dan: Fifth Son of Jacob and Bilhah: Blessed of Jacob Dan: Fifth Son of Jacob and Bilhah: Descendants of the Tribe of Dan: A Commercial People the Tribe of Dan: A Part of Plundered Michah of his Idols and his Ephod the Tribe of Dan: A Part of Sent to Seek New Settlements the Tribe of Dan: A Part of Set up Micah's Idols in Dan the Tribe of Dan: A Part of Tool Laish and Called It Dan the Tribe of Dan: Bounds of Its Inheritance the Tribe of Dan: Descended from Jacob's Fifth Son the Tribe of Dan: Encamped North of the Tabernacle the Tribe of Dan: Led the Fourth and Last Division of Israel the Tribe of Dan: Offering of, at Dedication the Tribe of Dan: On Ebal, Said Amen to the Curses the Tribe of Dan: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land the Tribe of Dan: Persons Selected From: To Number the People the Tribe of Dan: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land the Tribe of Dan: Predictions Respecting the Tribe of Dan: Reproved for not Aiding Against Sisera the Tribe of Dan: Restricted to the Hills by Amorites the Tribe of Dan: Ruler Appointed Over, by David the Tribe of Dan: Samson Was of the Tribe of Dan: some of, at Coronation of David the Tribe of Dan: Strength of, Entering Canaan the Tribe of Dan: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt Tribe of Dan: Blessed by Moses Tribe of Dan: Deborah Rebukes, for Their Cowardice Tribe of Dan: Fail to Conquer the Amorites Tribe of Dan: Inheritance of, According to the Allotment of Joshua Tribe of Dan: Position of, in Journey and Camp, During the Exodus Related Terms Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences) Abel-beth-maacah (2 Occurrences) Abel-beth-maachah (2 Occurrences) |
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