The Tribe of Dan

Jacob’s fifth born son was Dan. Jacob told Dan what would befall him and his tribe in a latter time.

Though for many Dan is a tribe of mystery and intrigue, the scriptures give us a clear understanding as to what would befall this tribe and how Jacob’s prophecies which he revealed to Dan would come to pass.

“Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.” Genesis 49:16

Jacob prophesied that his son Dan would in the future judge his brethren and be a leadership figure within our nation. This prophecy came to pass with Samson.

“And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. [3] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. [4] Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: [5] For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” Judges 13:2-5

The heroic Samson was a descendant of the tribe of Dan. Samson was chosen and consecrated by his mother to be a deliverer of the Nation of Israel. Our people were in transgression with The Most High and ended up in captivity to the Philistines. Clearly, Jacob was precise and true when he prophesied to his son Dan.

“And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. [17] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath- lehi. [18] And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? [19] But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. [20] And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.” Judges 15:16-20

Samson being a fierce warrior of The Most High killed a thousand men with a mere jawbone. True heroic acts were done by our Danite brother Samson. Samson had to utilize wisdom, seduction, acts of espionage and brute strength to tear down the Philistine Kingdom and deliver his people from bondage.

“Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.” Genesis 49:17

Jacob advised that Dan would move in the way of serpent. Now most consider snakes or serpents in a negative fashion however the nature of the serpent is majestic, slick, cunning and powerful. Yahawashi (Jesus Christ) advised us of how the wisdom of the serpent is a virtuous quality and required in order for us to maintain and survive in captivity.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Samson was an adder in the path of the Philistines. The Most High allowed Samson to use subtlety when dealing with the Philistine women. This was a means of reconnaissance to gain access in the Philistine kingdom. Notice how the Spirit of the Lord was with him as he killed a lion and 30 Philistine men after they couldn’t understand the parable and riddle Samson challenged them with. Samson bit at the heels of the Philistines, kept them off balance with his cunningness, slaughtered thousands and delivered his people.

“And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. [2] And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. [3] Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. [4] But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. [5] Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. [6] And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. [7] And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. [8] And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. [9] And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. [10] So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do. [11] And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him. [12] And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: [13] But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. [14] And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. [15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so? [16] And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? [17] And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. [18] And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. [19] And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. [20] But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.” Judges 14:1-20

“And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.” Moses prophesied to each tribe their blessings. As for Dan they would inherit land, be as young lions, but at the same time be immature and self destructive. Deuteronomy 33:22

“And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.” 1 Chronicles 12:35

Samson was fierce, yet cunning. He was deceptive and poisonous, yet true. Samson displayed the strength and might of the Tribe of Dan.. They were excellent fighters and valiant warriors. Samson was prophesied to show the dangerous nature of his tribe.

“The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. [11] The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.” Job 4:10-11

Dan, along with the rest of his brethren, lost their desire to stay aggressive and maintain their kingdom and inheritances. Though the Most High empowered us to kill our enemies and subdue them, Dan and the rest of the tribes got complacent. Allowing the other nations to be in our presence and be our neighbors was our downfall. The ways of the wicked seduced them (Proverbs 12:26). When a lion has no prey to hunt, nor kill, nor eat, eventually, he becomes self destructive and will die off. The Most High struck down Dan for various offences to the law mainly idol worship.

“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.” Psalms 3:7

When the scriptures say that the “teeth of the young lions are broken” it is essentially saying that the Most High has punished and destroyed the wicked. Dan was a lion’s whelp meaning he was young, wild and immature. Let’s examine how Dan was wild and disobedient. Remember Dan’s chief offence was falling into idol worship and influencing the other tribes to do it was well.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: [3] And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, [6] And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;” Exodus 31:1-3, 6

Spiritually, we can see Dan’s attraction to craftsmanship and fine workmanship. Aholiab was of the Tribe of Dan and helped construct the aspects of the tabernacle. The righteous wisdom given to Aholiab was a common trait of his tribesmen. Historically, when the tribe of Dan sought out land for an inheritance, they fell into idol worship.

“In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. [3] When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? [4] And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest. [5] And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous. [6] And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go. [7] Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. [8] And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye? [9] And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.” Judges 18:1, 3-9

Dan utilized wisdom as a serpent to take the land from the Zidonians who were unprepared and careless.

“And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan. [23] And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company? [24] And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee? [25] And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household. [26] And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house. [27] And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire. [28] And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth-rehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein. [29] And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first. [30] And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. [31] And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.” Judges 18: 22-31

Upon securing the land, Dan immediately constructed an idol base and followed after the customs of the people.

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. [26] And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: [27] If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. [28] Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. [29] And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. [30] And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. [31] And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. [32] And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. [33] So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.” 1 Kings 12:25-33

Jeroboam, the first King of the Northern Kingdom, fell into jealousy and wickedness. He set up altars and idols in Bethel and in Dan. Dan continued in their abominable acts of worship which again led to the downfall of the Tribes. Part of being a “lion’s whelp” was their lack of maturity and strength to defend against evil. They instead got caught up in mischief and wickedness.

“...he shall leap from Bashan.” Deuteronomy 33:22

The land of Bashan was originally a possession of Manasseh. (Joshua 17:1-5; Joshua 20:8; Joshua 21:6; Joshua 22:7; 1 Chronicles 5:23)

“Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them.” Joshua 22:7

Why did Dan have to leap from Bashan? We must understand historically Dan never received their full inheritance of land. Thus they had to share Bashan with Manasseh for awhile until they sought out more land that they could call their own. We covered this earlier in Judges Chapter 18. Dan never got all of their inherited land. They were originally intended to receive 18 cities in the land of Canaan, however only 6 were taken 4 of which was given to the Levite Priests. (Joshua 19:40-47; Judges 1:34; Joshua 21:23; Joshua 19:47)

“And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. [41] And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh, [42] And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah, [43] And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron, [44] And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath, [45] And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon, [46] And Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho. [47] And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. [48] This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.” Joshua 19:40-48

Dan made a leap from Bashan in pursuit of more land!