Dan

by Brad Scott

Dan (דן) is one of the more provocative tribes of Israel. We see both in his first appearance and in Ya'aqov's (Jacob) prophecies over his sons, that Dan is associated with judging and/or judgment.

B^ere’shiyt (Genesis) 30:5-6And Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

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B^ere’shiyt 49:16-17Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 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.

Obviously, the tribe of Dan is tied up prophetically and historically with judging or being judged. The history of this tribe is not a pretty one for his record gets more dismal as it goes. It is interesting that this tribe is also directly or indirectly associated with the serpent and a heel (B^ere’shiyt 3:15). Because of this, there is much speculation about the possiblity of the anti-messiah coming from this tribe. I personally feel that YHVH is the sower and He knows precisely where He has sown His seed and when and where fruit will be produced. I believe that Abba is drawing out something prophetic about the destiny of all 12 tribes. He knows who comes from this tribe. He knows where they are, who they are, and precisely what they will produce. It is also significant that when Israel was divided into the house of Israel and the house of Judah, that the calf-worshipping house of Israel chose to place one idol in Bethel and the other in Dan (M^elakhiym Alef (1 Kings) 12:28-29).

Shalom Alecheim! ◊