Who was Dan?

One of the twelve tribes of Israel

The story of Dan

Dan - Judge
Dan - Judge
Judge

Dan was the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah, and one of the twelve sons of Jacob who became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Dan is remembered as a strong and courageous warrior, and his tribe became known for their military prowess. In the Bible, Dan is described as the founder of the city of Dan, which was located in the northern part of the land of Canaan. The tribe of Dan was one of the largest and most powerful of the twelve tribes, and they played an important role in the history of Israel. Dan is also mentioned in the book of Genesis as one of the sons of Jacob who took part in the sale of Joseph into slavery. However, there is no further mention of Dan in the Bible, and his descendants are not mentioned in the genealogies or lists of the twelve tribes. Despite this relative lack of attention in the Bible, the tribe of Dan continued to play an important role in the history of Israel, and their name was associated with strength and courage. The exact date of Dan's birth and death is not specified in the Bible, but he is believed to have lived in the late second millennium BC.

Name meaning

Judge

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

Judge

First mention

Genesis 1:20

Appearances in the Bible

530 mentions

Family

Relatives of Dan

Dan in the Bible

Explore all 65 chapters where Dan appears

Genesis

Chapter 14

Abraham Rescues Lot

This chapter tells the story of a battle between different kings and how Abram rescues his nephew Lot.

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Genesis

Chapter 30

The Birth of Jacob's Children

Jacob becomes very wealthy with large flocks and many children.

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Genesis

Chapter 35

Jacob's Return to Bethel

God tells Jacob to move to Bethel and to get rid of foreign gods. Jacob renames the place Bethel and builds an altar to ...

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Genesis

Chapter 46

Jacob and His Family Move to Egypt

Jacob and his family move to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.

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Genesis

Chapter 49

Jacob's Blessings and Death

Jacob blesses his twelve sons, giving each a prophecy about their descendants.

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Exodus

Chapter 1

Oppression in Egypt

The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt and God chooses Moses to lead them out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. Moses is ...

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Exodus

Chapter 31

The Skilled Craftsmen

Instructions for the Sabbath and for the craftsmen who will make the tabernacle and its furnishings.

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Exodus

Chapter 35

Contributions for the Tabernacle

The Israelites bring materials for making the tabernacle and its furnishings.

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Exodus

Chapter 38

The Bronze Altar

The bronze altar, the court around the tabernacle, and the bronze basin are built.

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Leviticus

Chapter 24

The Lampstand and the Bread of the Presence

God gives instructions for the lampstand, the bread of the presence and the altar of incense.

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Numbers

Chapter 1

The Census of the Israelites

A census is taken of the Israelites, and the organization of the tribes is outlined.

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Numbers

Chapter 2

The Arrangement of the Camps

The Israelites are organized into four camps, with each tribe assigned a specific position around the Tabernacle.

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Numbers

Chapter 7

The Altar and Its Vessels

The leaders of the tribes bring offerings to dedicate the Tabernacle.

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Numbers

Chapter 10

The Silver Trumpets

God commands the Israelites to make two silver trumpets for signaling and for calling the assembly.

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Numbers

Chapter 13

The Spies Sent to Canaan

Moses sends out twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan and they bring back a mixed report.

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Numbers

Chapter 26

The Census of the Israelites

A second census is taken of the Israelites and the land is apportioned among the tribes.

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Numbers

Chapter 34

The Borders of the Land of Canaan

God commands the Israelites to appoint Joshua as Moses' successor and to divide the land of Canaan among the tribes.

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Deuteronomy

Chapter 27

The Altar and the Curse for Disobedience

Moses commands the Israelites to set up large stones and plaster them with plaster and to inscribe on them all the words...

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Deuteronomy

Chapter 33

The Blessing of Moses

Moses blesses the Israelite tribes, pronouncing a special blessing on each of them.

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Deuteronomy

Chapter 34

The Death of Moses

Moses dies and is buried by God in an unknown place.

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Joshua

Chapter 15

The Inheritance of Judah

Joshua allocates the land of Canaan by lot to the tribe of Judah.

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Joshua

Chapter 19

Tribal Allotments Complete

Joshua allocates the land of Canaan by lot to the tribe of Simeon.

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Joshua

Chapter 21

Levitical Cities

Joshua allocates the land of Canaan by lot to the Levites and sets aside cities for them to live in.

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Judges

Chapter 1

Israel's Continuing Conquest

The Israelites begin to worship other gods, and as a result, God allows them to be oppressed by their enemies.

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Judges

Chapter 5

The Song of Deborah

Deborah and Barak sing a song of victory and praise God.

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Judges

Chapter 13

The Birth of Samson

Samson is born and is dedicated to God as a Nazirite.

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Judges

Chapter 18

The Tribe of Dan's Idolatry

The tribe of Dan, in search of land, takes the city of Laish and renames it Dan.

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Judges

Chapter 20

Battle Against the Benjamites

The Israelites unite to punish the tribe of Benjamin for the crime, but end up killing all the men, women and children o...

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Matthew

Chapter 24

Signs of the End Times

Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and the end of the world.

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Mark

Chapter 13

Signs of the End Times

Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and the end of the world.

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1 Samuel

Chapter 3

The Lord Calls Samuel

Samuel is called by God to be a prophet while he is serving in the temple. He initially mistakes God's voice for the voi...

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2 Samuel

Chapter 3

The Rise of Absalom

Absalom, David's son, begins to rebel against his father and gains a following.

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2 Samuel

Chapter 17

Hushai's Aid to David

Hushai aids David in his flight from Absalom and provides counsel to him.

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1 Kings

Chapter 4

Solomon's Administrative Wisdom

Solomon sets up a wise and efficient system of administration, benefiting Israel.

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1 Kings

Chapter 12

Rehoboam's Folly

Rehoboam, Solomon's son, refuses to heed the counsel of the older leaders and instead makes demands of the people, leadi...

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1 Kings

Chapter 15

Abijam's Reign in Judah

Abijam becomes king of Judah and continues the sins of his father.

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2 Kings

Chapter 10

Jehu's Purge of the House of Ahab

Jehu carries out a violent purge of the house of Ahab, eliminating all the remaining members of the dynasty.

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 2

Genealogy of David

A genealogy of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, detailing their family lineages and populations.

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 3

Sons of David

A genealogy of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, detailing their family lineages and populations.

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 12

Warriors Join David

Warriors join David

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 21

David's Reign and Reign of His Sons

David's reign, including his administration and building projects, and the reign of his son Solomon.

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 27

Leaders of Military Divisions and Civil Administrations

The division of the priests and Levites into groups for the service of the temple, including the organization of musicia...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 2

Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple

Solomon's commitment to fulfilling the divine mandate of building a dwelling place for God, marked by resource dedicatio...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 16

Asa's Alliance and Rebuke

Asa's shift in strategy, forming alliances with foreign powers, and the prophet Hanani's rebuke highlighting the import...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 30

Hezekiah's Passover Celebration

Hezekiah's Passover celebration, emphasizing the importance of communal worship and the invitation for all of Israel to ...

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Ezra

Chapter 8

Ezra's Assembly

Ezra assembles the exiles to hear the law and to worship.

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Nehemiah

Chapter 10

The Signing of a Covenant

The signing of a covenant to obey the law, including the appointment of leaders to enforce the law.

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Daniel

Chapter 1

Daniel's Exile to Babylon

Daniel and other Jewish young nobles are taken into exile in Babylon and are trained in the ways of the Babylonians.

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Daniel

Chapter 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that troubles him, and Daniel interprets it as a vision of the future kingdoms of the wo...

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Daniel

Chapter 4

Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation

King Nebuchadnezzar becomes proud and is punished by God, who causes him to live like an animal for seven years.

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Daniel

Chapter 5

The Writing on the Wall

The chapter unfolds the enigmatic writing on the wall during Belshazzar's feast, signaling impending judgment and the sw...

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Daniel

Chapter 6

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel refuses to stop praying to God, even when King Darius issues an edict against it. He is thrown into a lion's den,...

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Daniel

Chapter 7

Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts

Daniel has a vision of four beasts that represent the future kingdoms of the world, and a "Son of Man" who represents Go...

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Daniel

Chapter 8

The Ram and the Goat

Daniel has a vision of a ram and a goat that represents the rise and fall of the Persian and Greek empires.

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Daniel

Chapter 9

Daniel's Prayer for Jerusalem

Daniel prays for the restoration of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah.

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Daniel

Chapter 10

The Vision of the Glorious Man

Daniel has a vision of a glorious man who represents the protection and guidance of God.

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Daniel

Chapter 12

The End Times

Daniel prophesies about the end times, including the resurrection and judgment of all people.

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Amos

Chapter 8

A Vision of the End

Amos sees a vision of the end, a time of famine and destruction, but also of hope and restoration.

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Jeremiah

Chapter 4

The Call to Repentance

In Jeremiah chapter 4, the prophet issues a call to repentance to the people of Judah, warning of impending destruction ...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 8

The Consequences of Rejection

Jeremiah chapter 8 continues the prophet's warning to the people of Judah about their impending doom. He emphasizes the ...

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Ezekiel

Chapter 14

False Prophets Condemned

In Ezekiel chapter 14, God speaks to Ezekiel about the false prophets who have been leading His people astray. He warns ...

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Ezekiel

Chapter 27

The Lament for Tyre

In Ezekiel chapter 27, the prophet laments the fall of the great city of Tyre, a major trading hub of the ancient world....

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Ezekiel

Chapter 28

A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre

In Ezekiel 28, the prophet delivers a message from God to the king of Tyre, condemning his pride and arrogance. The king...

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Ezekiel

Chapter 48

The Division of the Promised Land

In Ezekiel chapter 48, the prophet receives a vision from God regarding the allotment of land for the twelve tribes of I...

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2 Samuel

Chapter 24

David Enrolls the Fighting Men

David enrolls the fighting men and builds an alter

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Showing all 65 chapter appearances