Deuteronomy 33:22
New International Version
About Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, springing out of Bashan.”

New Living Translation
Moses said this about the tribe of Dan: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out from Bashan.”

English Standard Version
And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps from Bashan.”

Berean Standard Bible
Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

King James Bible
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

New King James Version
And of Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.”

New American Standard Bible
Of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub; He leaps out from Bashan.”

NASB 1995
Of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan.”

NASB 1977
And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan.”

Amplified Bible
Of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub, That leaps forth from Bashan.”

Christian Standard Bible
He said about Dan: Dan is a young lion, leaping out of Bashan.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said about Dan: Dan is a young lion, leaping out of Bashan.

American Standard Version
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp, That leapeth forth from Bashan.

Contemporary English Version
Tribe of Dan, you are like a lion cub, startled by a snake.

English Revised Version
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp, That leapeth forth from Bashan.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
About the tribe of [Dan]he said, "The people of Dan are a lion cub. Out of Bashan they pounce [on their enemies]."

Good News Translation
About the tribe of Dan he said: "Dan is a young lion; He leaps out from Bashan."

International Standard Version
About Dan he said: "Dan is a lion's cub, leaping forth from Bashan."

Majority Standard Bible
Concerning Dan he said: ?Dan is a lion?s cub, leaping out of Bashan.?

NET Bible
Of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's cub; he will leap forth from Bashan.

New Heart English Bible
Of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's cub that leaps out of Bashan."

Webster's Bible Translation
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

World English Bible
About Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps out of Bashan.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And of Dan he said: Dan [is] a lion’s whelp; He leaps from Bashan.

Young's Literal Translation
And of Dan he said: -- Dan is a lion's whelp; he doth leap from Bashan.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Dan he said, Dan a lion's whelp: he shall spring forth from Bashan.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To Dan also he said: Dan is a young lion, he shall flow plentifully from Basan.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise, to Dan he said: “Dan is a young lion. He shall flow plentifully from Bashan.”

New American Bible
Of Dan he said: Dan is a lion’s cub, that springs away from a viper!

New Revised Standard Version
And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion’s whelp that leaps forth from Bashan.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp, who sucks milk from Mathnin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And to Dan he said: “Dan, a whelp of a lion that suckled from Mathnin.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's whelp, That leapeth forth from Bashan.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And to Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp, and shall leap out of Basan.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes
21He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.” 22Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.” 23Concerning Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”…

Cross References
Judges 13:24-25
So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him. / And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Judges 14:5-6
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, / and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

Judges 15:14-15
When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands. / He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.

Judges 16:28-30
Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” / And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, / Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

Genesis 49:16-17
Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. / He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

Numbers 2:25-31
On the north side, the divisions of Dan are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Danites is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, / and his division numbers 62,700. / The tribe of Asher will camp next to it. The leader of the Asherites is Pagiel son of Ocran, ...

Numbers 10:25
Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard, serving as the rear guard for all units, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command.

Joshua 19:40-48
The seventh lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Dan: / The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, / Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, ...

1 Chronicles 12:35
From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.

1 Chronicles 27:16
These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah;

Revelation 7:5
From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

Revelation 21:12
The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:30
so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

Genesis 49:16,17
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel…

Joshua 19:47
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.

Judges 13:2,24,25
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…

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Deuteronomy 33
1. The majesty of God
6. The blessings of the twelve tribes
26. The excellence of Israel














Concerning Dan he said
This phrase introduces the specific blessing or prophecy given to the tribe of Dan by Moses. In the context of Deuteronomy 33, Moses is blessing the tribes of Israel before his death. The tribe of Dan, named after Jacob's fifth son by Bilhah, is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Historically, Dan was known for its strategic location and its role as a frontier tribe. The blessings given to each tribe often reflect their character, role, or future.

Dan is a lion’s cub
The imagery of a "lion’s cub" suggests strength, potential, and a sense of emerging power. In Hebrew, the word for "lion" is "אַרְיֵה" (aryeh), which is often used in the Bible to symbolize courage and might. The term "cub" implies youthfulness and potential for growth. This metaphor indicates that Dan, though perhaps small or young at the time, possesses inherent strength and the potential to become powerful. In a broader biblical context, lions are often associated with the tribe of Judah, but here, Dan is also likened to a lion, suggesting a fierce and bold nature.

leaping out of Bashan
Bashan was a region known for its fertile land and strong cattle, located east of the Jordan River. The phrase "leaping out of Bashan" evokes an image of vitality and assertiveness. The Hebrew root for "leaping" is "זָנַק" (zanak), which conveys a sense of springing forth with energy and purpose. This could imply that the tribe of Dan would extend its influence or territory with vigor. Historically, the tribe of Dan struggled with its allotted territory and sought expansion, which aligns with this imagery of leaping or moving out. The reference to Bashan, a region known for its strength and resources, further emphasizes the potential for growth and expansion.

(22) Dan is a lion's whelp.--Jacob compared him to a serpent and an adder. The lion of the tribe of Dan is not like the lion of the tribe of Judah.

He shall leap from Bashan.--The taking of Laish is probably referred to. It was a sudden, treacherous surprise, like the spring of a lion on his prey (Judges 18:27-28). The "hill of Bashan" is opposed to God's hill in Psalm 68:15. The "king of Bashan" are reproved (Amos 4:1). The "bulls of Bashan" represent the enemies of Christ in Psalm 22:12.

O Naphtali . . . possess thou the west (literally, the sea) and the south.--This is not easy to interpret literally. The only sea in Naphtali's inheritance was the Sea of Galilee. If we look on to the days when that sea becomes famous in Holy Scripture, we find our Saviour dwelling in "the land of Zeoulun and the land of Naphtali," and through his Galilean followers possessing the west and the south, taking the "nations for his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for His possession."

Verse 22. - Jacob compared Dan to a serpent that suddenly springs forth by the way, and bites the heels of a horse so that the rider falls backward. Moses here compares the tribe to a young lion that suddenly leaps from its lair in Bashan on the object of its attack. Both similitudes relate to the vigor and force which the tribe should display in conflict.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Concerning Dan
וּלְדָ֣ן (ū·lə·ḏān)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1835: Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel

he said:
אָמַ֔ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Dan [is]
דָּ֖ן (dān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1835: Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel

a lion’s
אַרְיֵ֑ה (’ar·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

cub,
גּ֣וּר (gūr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1482: A cub, of the lion

leaping
יְזַנֵּ֖ק (yə·zan·nêq)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2187: To draw together the feet, to spring forward

out of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Bashan.”
הַבָּשָֽׁן׃ (hab·bā·šān)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1316: Bashan -- 'smooth', a region East of the Jordan


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 33:22 Of Dan he said Dan (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 33:21
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