Topical Encyclopedia The Danites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the firstborn of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:5-6). The tribe of Dan is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, playing a significant role in the history and narrative of the Israelites.Territory and Settlement Initially, the tribe of Dan was allocated a portion of land in the southwestern part of Canaan, near the Philistine territory (Joshua 19:40-48). However, the Danites struggled to fully possess this land due to the strength of the Philistines and other Canaanite inhabitants. Judges 1:34 notes, "The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down to the plain." Due to these challenges, a portion of the tribe sought a new territory. This led to the migration of some Danites to the north, where they captured the city of Laish, renaming it Dan (Judges 18:27-29). This relocation is significant as it marks the northernmost boundary of Israel, often referred to in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" (Judges 20:1). Religious Practices and Idolatry The Danites are notably associated with early instances of idolatry in Israel. Judges 18 recounts how the Danites, during their migration, seized a Levite priest and household idols from Micah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. They established these idols in their new city of Dan, which became a center of idolatrous 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." This idolatry persisted, and the city of Dan later became one of the centers for the golden calf worship established by King Jeroboam I of Israel (1 Kings 12:28-30). Notable Figures One of the most famous Danites is Samson, a judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength and his struggles against the Philistines (Judges 13-16). Samson's exploits and his eventual downfall highlight the complex relationship between the Danites and their Philistine neighbors. Prophetic and Historical Significance The tribe of Dan is notably absent from the list of tribes in Revelation 7, where the 144,000 are sealed. This omission has led to various interpretations and speculations regarding the tribe's fate and spiritual standing. Throughout biblical history, the Danites exemplify both the struggles and failures of the Israelites in maintaining faithfulness to God amidst external pressures and internal temptations. Their account serves as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. Smith's Bible Dictionary The DanitesThe descendants of Dan and the members of his tribe. (Judges 13:2; 18:1,11; 1 Chronicles 12:35) Strong's Hebrew 4265. Machaneh-dan -- "camp of Dan," a place where the Danites ...... "camp of Dan," a place where the Danites stayed. Transliteration: Machaneh-dan Phonetic Spelling: (makh-an-ay'-dawn) Short Definition: Mahaneh-dan. ... /hebrew/4265.htm - 6k 1839. Dani -- descendant of Dan Library The Historical Books. Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan. How the Israelites after this Misfortune Grew Wicked and Served ... The Disposition of the Tribes in Galilee. Samson who did to Others as they did to Him Index of Subjects. CHAPTER III. Although Certain as to the Number of the Name of Antichrist, yet ... A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom. How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |