What is the meaning of Dalan in the Bible?
Dalán was a patriarch of a family that returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem but could not verify their Israelite ancestry, resulting in their exclusion from the priestly and lay lists. He is recorded in 1 Esdras 5:37 and corresponds to the figure named Delaiah in Ezra 2:60.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Dalán as the variant name for Delaiah helps readers navigate the textual differences between the books of Ezra and 1 Esdras, clarifying how different canonical traditions preserve the genealogical records of the post-exilic community.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Dalan reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Dalan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Dalan clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezra 2:60
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Dalan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/dalan/