Topical Bible: Dan: Fifth Son of Jacob and Bilhah: Descendants of

◄ Dan: Fifth Son of Jacob and Bilhah: Descendants of ►

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Introduction:
Dan, the fifth son of Jacob, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative as the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His mother, Bilhah, was Rachel's maidservant, given to Jacob as a concubine. The name "Dan" means "judge," reflecting Rachel's declaration, "God has vindicated me; He has listened to my voice and given me a son" (Genesis 30:6).

Biblical Account:
Dan's birth is recorded in Genesis 30:1-6, where Rachel, unable to bear children, offers her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob. Upon Bilhah's conception and delivery of Dan, Rachel acknowledges God's justice in her favor. Dan's role as a judge is prophetically highlighted by Jacob in his blessings over his sons: "Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel" (Genesis 49:16).

Tribe of Dan:
The descendants of Dan became one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their prowess and strategic importance. The tribe's initial allotment of land was in the southwestern part of Canaan, near the Philistine territory (Joshua 19:40-48). However, due to pressure from neighboring peoples, the Danites later migrated northward, capturing the city of Laish and renaming it Dan (Judges 18:27-29).

Notable Descendants:
One of the most famous descendants of Dan is Samson, a judge of Israel renowned for his extraordinary strength and exploits against the Philistines (Judges 13-16). Despite his personal failings, Samson's life exemplifies the complex interplay of divine purpose and human frailty.

Tribal Characteristics:
The tribe of Dan is often associated with both positive and negative attributes. On one hand, they are seen as a symbol of justice and strength. On the other hand, the tribe's involvement in idolatry, as depicted in Judges 18, marks a period of spiritual decline. The Danites' establishment of a graven image in their northern territory reflects a departure from the worship of Yahweh, which had lasting implications for the spiritual health of Israel.

Prophetic References:
In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, the tribe of Dan is notably absent from the list of the sealed tribes (Revelation 7:4-8). This omission has been the subject of much theological speculation, often interpreted as a consequence of the tribe's idolatrous practices.

Conclusion:
The legacy of Dan, both as an individual and as a tribe, is a testament to the complexities of faith, leadership, and identity within the biblical narrative. His account serves as a reminder of the enduring themes of justice, divine providence, and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 46:23
And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
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Numbers 26:42,43
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
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Library

The Book of Jubilees
... adds in their place four sons of Dan and one of ... Silo, Lat), is doubtless Shiloh;
and the fifth, Gaiz (Gaas ... Zion; the inscription found by Canaan, son of Arphaxad ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Chapter xlix
... Zebulon, the sixth, should be mentioned before Issachar, the fifth. ... Judah is a lion;
Issachar, an ass; Dan, a serpent ... Then Jacob turns away from his son as from ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... a linen ephod; the fourth with a purple girdle; the fifth gave him ... Dan"Concerning
Anger and Lying ... bore him; and he was therefore called Benjamin, "son of days ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... my forefather (d-gula-mu), the fifth king before me ... until the reign of Khammurabi
(the son of Sinmuballit ... by three distinct peoples, whose descendants may still ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm