Tribe of Dan of Ezekiel
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a unique place in the prophetic vision of Ezekiel. This tribe, named after Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the firstborn of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, is often associated with both historical significance and eschatological promise.

Historical Context

In the historical narrative of the Old Testament, the Tribe of Dan was allotted a portion of land in the northern part of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 19:40-48). However, due to pressure from neighboring peoples, the Danites migrated and conquered the city of Laish, renaming it Dan (Judges 18:27-29). This relocation is significant as it positioned the tribe at the northernmost boundary of Israel, often referenced in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" to denote the entire land of Israel.

Ezekiel's Vision

In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet presents a vision of a restored Israel, which includes a detailed description of the division of the land among the tribes. Notably, the Tribe of Dan is mentioned first in the apportioning of the land in Ezekiel 48:1: "Now these are the names of the tribes: From the northern end, along the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan (the border of Damascus with Hamath), there will be one portion for Dan, from the east side to the west side."

This positioning of Dan at the northernmost part of the land in Ezekiel's vision mirrors its historical location and underscores its role as a boundary marker. The inclusion of Dan in this prophetic allocation is significant, especially considering its absence from the list of tribes in Revelation 7, where the 144,000 are sealed.

Theological Implications

The mention of Dan in Ezekiel's vision can be interpreted as a symbol of restoration and inclusion. Despite the tribe's historical associations with idolatry, as seen in Judges 18:30-31, where the Danites set up a carved image, Ezekiel's prophecy suggests a future redemption and reintegration into the covenant community. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the hope of restoration for all of Israel.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

The Tribe of Dan is often associated with judgment, as the name "Dan" itself means "judge" in Hebrew. This is echoed in Jacob's blessing over Dan in Genesis 49:16: "Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel." This judicial role is emblematic of the tribe's historical and prophetic identity.

In summary, the Tribe of Dan in Ezekiel represents both a continuity of historical identity and a prophetic vision of restoration. Its inclusion in the apportionment of the land signifies hope and redemption, aligning with the overarching biblical narrative of God's enduring covenant with His people.
Nave's Topical Index
Ezekiel 48:1
Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goes to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... In the fifth year of his reign Ezekiel prophesied at Babylon; after him Nahum ... a Tyrian
artificer, the son of a Jewish mother, of the tribe of Dan, [2072] as ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... in the tribe of Dan (1 Kings 11:26; xii.28-30. See also Hosea 4:17). True, we find
Dan and Ephraim restored in the future distribution of the Land (Ezekiel 48 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Chapter xlix
... They seem to have thought of Ezekiel 21:32 (English, v.27) which reads ... may well regard
as fantastic when they claimed that from the tribe of Dan Anti-Christ ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... this refers to Samson, who sprang from the tribe of Dan ... Jeremiah also speaks to this
effect: "From Dan we are ... Ezekiel also speaks of him to the same effect, thus ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

The Sealing of the Servants of God.
... Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.""Rev.7 ... In Dan.7:2, the striving
of the four ... destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Ezekiel saw in ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the sealing of the servants.htm

The Sealed Book.
... In like manner Ezekiel was shown "a roll of a book ... and seal the book, till the time
of the end," Dan.12:4 ... one of the elders, that "the LION of the tribe of JUDAH ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the sealed book.htm

The vision
... There is an allusion to the passage in Ezekiel, c. ix. ... "Of the tribe of Judah ... For
besides that Dan does not appear with them at all, nor is the name of Ephraim ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the vision .htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... there is known no fact corresponding to the fate announced:"Phoenicia shall be utterly
destroyed, so that not a tribe shall be ... Isaiah 1:9, 10; Ezekiel 16. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The First Part
... and receiving its name from the first tribe of its ... bullock." And lastly, on the standard
of Dan the figure ... quadruple face of the cherubim, in Ezekiel, (for do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

The Son of Man
... He came even to the Ancient of Days" (Dan.7:13). ... Each and all are the sons of their
tribe and century ... question that He did not merely follow Ezekiel in applying ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 10 the son of.htm

Resources
Is there any truth to The Da Vinci code? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Dan

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: Families of

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 of Ezekiel

Tribe of Dan: Blessed by Moses

Tribe of Dan: Census of

Tribe of Dan: Commerce of

Tribe of Dan: Conquests By

Tribe of Dan: Deborah Rebukes, for Their Cowardice

Tribe of Dan: Fail to Conquer the Amorites

Tribe of Dan: Idolatry of

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

12000 (7 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kenites (8 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Bezer (5 Occurrences)

Sealed (31 Occurrences)

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Mentioned (30 Occurrences)

Pagiel (5 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)

Ramoth (30 Occurrences)

Asher (43 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Kohath's (3 Occurrences)

Deuel (5 Occurrences)

Bezalel (10 Occurrences)

Ammihud (10 Occurrences)

Ahihud (2 Occurrences)

Ancestral (14 Occurrences)

Ahira (5 Occurrences)

Pasture (120 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)

Abdon (8 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Zurishaddai (5 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Danite (7 Occurrences)

Designated (22 Occurrences)

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)

Manas'sites (10 Occurrences)

Midianite (11 Occurrences)

Bezaleel (9 Occurrences)

Bashan (54 Occurrences)

Abidan (5 Occurrences)

Aholiab (5 Occurrences)

Amalekite (12 Occurrences)

Anna (1 Occurrence)

Ahisamach (3 Occurrences)

Amalek (35 Occurrences)

Simeonites (10 Occurrences)

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Eastward (72 Occurrences)

Assigned (64 Occurrences)

Simeon (48 Occurrences)

Selection (71 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Zuar (5 Occurrences)

Kartah (2 Occurrences)

Encamping (24 Occurrences)

Eliasaph (6 Occurrences)

Daberath (3 Occurrences)

Danites (15 Occurrences)

Dumah (4 Occurrences)

Midian (60 Occurrences)

Manassites (7 Occurrences)

Midianites (30 Occurrences)

Massa (4 Occurrences)

Plateau (13 Occurrences)

Pedahzur (5 Occurrences)

Benjamite (15 Occurrences)

Bez'alel (9 Occurrences)

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

Azriel (3 Occurrences)

Ashurites (2 Occurrences)

Ahis'amach (3 Occurrences)

Tribe of Dan
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