Judges 18:29
They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel--though the city was formerly named Laish.
They named it Dan
The tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named the city after their ancestor. This act of renaming signifies possession and identity, reflecting the tribe's desire to establish a lasting legacy in the Promised Land. Naming places after patriarchs was a common practice, reinforcing tribal heritage and continuity.

after their forefather Dan
Dan was the fifth son of Jacob (Israel) and the first son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe of Dan was known for its struggles to secure territory, as seen in Judges 1:34, where they were initially unable to drive out the Amorites. This renaming symbolizes a successful conquest and fulfillment of their inheritance.

who was born to Israel
The mention of Israel (Jacob) highlights the covenantal relationship between God and the patriarchs. It underscores the divine promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land and their descendants. This connection to Israel emphasizes the legitimacy of the tribe's claim to the land.

though the city was formerly named Laish
Laish was a Canaanite city, known for its peaceful and secure lifestyle, as described earlier in Judges 18:7. The renaming from Laish to Dan marks a significant cultural and religious shift, as the city transitions from Canaanite to Israelite control. This change also reflects the broader theme of Israel's conquest and settlement in the land, fulfilling God's promises to the patriarchs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Dan
The fifth son of Jacob (Israel) and Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe of Dan is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after him.

2. Laish
An ancient city in the northern part of Canaan, originally inhabited by a peaceful and isolated people before being conquered by the tribe of Dan.

3. The Tribe of Dan
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their struggle to find a permanent inheritance in the Promised Land, leading them to capture Laish and rename it Dan.

4. Israel (Jacob)
The patriarch whose twelve sons became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. The renaming of Laish to Dan connects back to the heritage of Israel.

5. Conquest of Laish
An event where the Danites, seeking a territory, captured the city of Laish, destroyed it, and rebuilt it as their own city, renaming it Dan.
Teaching Points
Heritage and Identity
The renaming of Laish to Dan signifies the importance of heritage and identity. As Christians, we are reminded of our identity in Christ and the importance of living in a way that honors our spiritual heritage.

Seeking God's Will
The tribe of Dan's search for a homeland highlights the importance of seeking God's will and guidance in our pursuits. We must ensure our actions align with God's plans rather than our own desires.

Consequences of Disobedience
The absence of Dan in the list of tribes in Revelation may serve as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and idolatry. It is crucial to remain faithful to God's commandments.

Community and Legacy
The actions of the Danites in renaming the city reflect the impact of community decisions on legacy. Our choices today can affect future generations, emphasizing the need for godly leadership and decision-making.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the renaming of Laish to Dan reveal about the importance of identity and heritage in the Bible, and how can this apply to our Christian identity today?

2. How does the account of the tribe of Dan's conquest of Laish illustrate the challenges of seeking God's will, and what steps can we take to ensure our actions align with His plans?

3. Considering the absence of Dan in Revelation 7, what lessons can we learn about the consequences of disobedience and idolatry in our own spiritual lives?

4. In what ways can the decisions of a community or group impact its legacy, and how can we apply this understanding to our roles within the church and society?

5. How can the account of the tribe of Dan encourage us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and the legacy we are building for future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 49:16-17
Jacob's blessing to Dan, where he prophesies that Dan will provide justice for his people. This connects to the tribe's later actions in seeking their own land.

Joshua 19:40-48
The allocation of land to the tribe of Dan, which they found insufficient, leading to their conquest of Laish.

Revelation 7:4-8
The listing of the tribes of Israel, where Dan is notably absent, possibly reflecting their struggles and failures in maintaining faithfulness.
Counsel of GodJ. Burns, D. D.Judges 18:1-31
Indifference to ReligionC. P. Longland.Judges 18:1-31
Micah the EphraimiteW. R. Hutton, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
Practical Attention to ReligionHomiletic MagazineJudges 18:1-31
Report from the Promised LandW. T. Sabine.Judges 18:1-31
The Beyond in ReligionChristian World PulpitJudges 18:1-31
The Image-Worship Expanding into Tribal IdolatryJ. P. Millar.Judges 18:1-31
The Indian ProblemS. S Allnutt, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
The Loss of GodsHomilistJudges 18:1-31
The Stable and the Unstable in ReligionA. R. Merriam.Judges 18:1-31
The Stolen GodsR. A. Watson, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
Its Transfer and Establishment in a Lawless CommunityA.F. Muir Judges 18:14-31
People
Aram, Dan, Danites, Gershom, Jonathan, Laish, Manasseh, Micah, Rehob, Sidonians, Zidon
Places
Bethlehem, Beth-rehob, Dan, Eshtaol, Kiriath-jearim, Laish, Mahaneh-dan, Shiloh, Sidon, Zorah
Topics
Ancestor, Born, Dan, Forefather, Formerly, Howbeit, However, Laish, La'ish, Named, Though, Town, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 18:1-31

     7266   tribes of Israel

Judges 18:11-31

     5211   art

Library
The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
The maps assign a double spring of Jordan; but by what right it scarce appears; much less does it appear by what right they should call this Jor,--and that Dan. There is indeed mention in Josephus of little Jordan and great Jordan. Hence, as it seems, was the first original of the double spring in the maps, and of a double river at those first springs. For thus Josephus; "There are fountains (in Daphne) which send little Jordan, as it is called, into the great." He treats, in the text cited, of the
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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