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Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of

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What is the meaning of Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of in the Bible?

Dan was the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah, and his tribe was known for its military strength and later became oppressed by the Philistines. The Danites also conducted a raid on Laish, capturing it and founding an idol shrine.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the tribe of Dan clarifies the narrative of Israel's territorial expansion in the Book of Judges and highlights the religious syncretism that characterized the northern settlements during the period of the Judges.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of clarify?

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

"Dan (1); Dan, Tribe Of." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/dan-1-dan-tribe-of/
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