Laish
LocationsGeographical Setting
Laish was an ancient Canaanite city located at the northernmost point of the Jordan Valley, identified with the archaeological site of Tel Dan.
What is the meaning of Laish in the Bible?
Laish was a fortified city in the upper Jordan valley, originally inhabited by a peaceful tribe related to the Sidonians, before being conquered by the tribe of Dan, who rebuilt it and renamed it Dan.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Laish clarifies the territorial expansion of the tribe of Dan into the northernmost region of Israel and provides geographical context for the location of the later Israelite sanctuary at Dan.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.