the Tribe of Dan: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Originating from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the firstborn of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, the tribe is known for its role in the division and settlement of the Promised Land.

Biblical Background

The tribe's patriarch, Dan, is mentioned in Genesis 30:5-6, where Rachel declares, "God has vindicated me; He has heard my voice and given me a son." Thus, she named him Dan, meaning "judge." The tribe's emblematic role as judges is reflected in their history and actions.

Role in the Division of the Land

In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites are instructed to divide the land of Canaan among the tribes. Numbers 34:13-29 outlines the process, where leaders from each tribe are appointed to oversee the division. From the Tribe of Dan, Bukki son of Jogli is selected for this task. Numbers 34:22 states, "The leader from the tribe of the Danites is Bukki son of Jogli."

This selection underscores the tribe's involvement in the critical task of apportioning the land, a fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land was not merely a logistical task but a divine mandate, ensuring that each tribe received its inheritance according to God's plan.

Inheritance and Settlement

The initial allotment for the Tribe of Dan is described in Joshua 19:40-48. However, the Danites faced challenges in securing their territory due to pressure from the Amorites 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 into the plain."

In response to these challenges, a portion of the tribe sought additional territory. This led to the conquest of Laish, a city in the northern part of the land, which they renamed Dan. Judges 18:27-29 recounts this expansion: "They rebuilt the city and settled there. They named it Dan after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel."

Cultural and Spiritual Contributions

The Tribe of Dan is also noted for its cultural and spiritual contributions. The most famous Danite is Samson, a judge of Israel renowned for his extraordinary strength and exploits against the Philistines, as detailed in Judges 13-16. Samson's life reflects the tribe's complex legacy of faith, strength, and struggle.

Despite their initial struggles, the Danites' persistence in securing their inheritance and their role in the division of the land highlight their importance in Israel's history. The tribe's journey from the plains of Canaan to the northern reaches of the land illustrates the dynamic and often challenging process of settling the Promised Land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 34:22
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one ... of the captivity of
the land."* The tribe of Dan ... Benjamin, like Dan, was one of the tribes which ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

In Judaea
... Accordingly they searched from Dan to Beersheba, and found ... they mix up different
events and persons in Gospel ... not reckoned to belong to any tribe in particular ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The Cossaean kings did not merely bring with them an army to protect their persons,
or to occupy a small ... These were the Amorites which the tribe of Dan at a ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... of perfect purity in their persons, their altars ... with the government of a mountain
tribe dwelling to ... and Nergal-sharuzur for this purpose selected from their ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the incidents he gives are carefully selected, apt and ... they came in time to form
a tribe by themselves ... of both the first and second Jeroboam, Dan, Bethel, Gilgal ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Resources
Is the original Bible still in existence? | GotQuestions.org

What was the sin of Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Bilhah in the Bible? | 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

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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

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Knives (12 Occurrences)

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Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

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Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

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Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

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Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

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Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

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Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

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Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

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Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

the Tribe of Dan: On Ebal, Said Amen to the Curses
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