Topical Bible: the Tribe of Dan: Persons Selected From: To Spy out 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 often noted for its role in the early narratives of the Israelites.

Biblical Context

In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. God commands Moses to send out twelve spies, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. This mission is crucial as it is meant to assess the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities.

Selection of the Spy from Dan

From the Tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli is chosen as the representative to spy out the land. Numbers 13:4-5 states: "These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur; from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori; from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun; from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu; from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi; from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi; from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli..."

Role and Report

Ammiel, along with the other spies, spends forty days exploring the land. Upon their return, they present their findings to Moses, Aaron, and the entire congregation of Israel. The report is mixed; while the land is indeed flowing with milk and honey, ten of the spies, including Ammiel, express fear over the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities, leading to a lack of faith among the Israelites.

Numbers 13:31-33 records their report: "But the men who had gone up with him replied, 'We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!' So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: 'The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them.'"

Consequences

The negative report from Ammiel and the other spies, except for Caleb and Joshua, leads to a rebellion among the Israelites. This lack of faith results in God's judgment, condemning the current generation to wander in the wilderness for forty years until a new generation arises to take possession of the land.

Legacy

The Tribe of Dan's involvement in this pivotal moment highlights the challenges of faith and obedience faced by the Israelites. Despite the tribe's initial hesitance, the Danites eventually settle in the northern part of the Promised Land, as detailed in the Book of Joshua. Their journey from doubt to settlement reflects the broader narrative of Israel's struggle and eventual establishment in Canaan.