Dodanim
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Topical Encyclopedia
Dodanim is a biblical figure mentioned in the Table of Nations, a genealogical record found in the Book of Genesis. According to Genesis 10:4 , Dodanim is listed as a descendant of Japheth, one of the sons of Noah. The verse states: "The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim." This lineage places Dodanim among the early post-Flood nations and peoples that spread across the earth.

Genealogical Context

Dodanim is a son of Javan, who is identified as a son of Japheth. Japheth's descendants are traditionally associated with the peoples who settled in the regions of Europe and parts of Asia. The genealogical listing in Genesis 10 is paralleled in 1 Chronicles 1:7, where Dodanim is also mentioned as a son of Javan. This consistency across the biblical texts underscores the importance of Dodanim in the genealogical records of the Bible.

Name Variations and Interpretations

In some biblical translations and manuscripts, Dodanim is referred to as "Rodanim." This variation is due to differences in the Hebrew text, where the letters for "D" (ד) and "R" (ר) are similar and may have been transcribed differently over time. The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, uses "Rodanim," which has led some scholars to associate Dodanim with the island of Rhodes or the surrounding region.

Historical and Geographical Associations

Dodanim is often linked to the ancient peoples and regions in the vicinity of the Aegean Sea. Some scholars suggest that Dodanim may represent a group of people or a tribe that settled in the area of the Dodecanese Islands, which include Rhodes. This association is supported by the geographical proximity to other descendants of Javan, such as Kittim, who are often linked to Cyprus.

Cultural and Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the mention of Dodanim in the Table of Nations serves to illustrate the fulfillment of God's command to Noah and his descendants to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). The spread of Japheth's descendants, including Dodanim, highlights the diversity and expansion of humanity following the Flood.

Dodanim's inclusion in the genealogical records also reflects the interconnectedness of ancient peoples and the shared heritage of nations. The Table of Nations provides a framework for understanding the origins and relationships of various ethnic groups in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the unity of humanity under God's sovereign plan.

Conclusion

While specific historical details about Dodanim are limited, his mention in the Bible contributes to the broader understanding of the dispersion of nations and the fulfillment of God's purposes in history. The legacy of Dodanim, as part of the Japhethite lineage, underscores the biblical theme of God's providence and the unfolding of His divine plan for all nations.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Dodanim

(leaders), (Genesis 10:4; 1 Chronicles 1:7) a family or race descended from Javan, the son of Japhet. (Genesis 10:4; 1 Chronicles 1:7) Dodanim is regarded as identical with the Dardani, who were found in historical times in Illyricum and Troy.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Dodanim

Or RODANM, 1 Chronicles 1:7, a people descended from Japhet through Javan, Genesis 10:4. They are associated, by the above passage, and by dim etymological inferences, with the island of Rhodes or some location on the north coast of the Mediterranean.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Leaders, a race descended from Javan (Genesis 10:4). They are known in profane history as the Dardani, originally inhabiting Illyricum. They were a semi-Pelasgic race, and in the ethnographical table (Genesis 10) they are grouped with the Chittim (q.v.). In 1 Chronicles 1:7, they are called Rodanim. The LXX. and the Samaritan Version also read Rhodii, whence some have concluded that the Rhodians, the inhabitants of the island of Rhodes, are meant.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DODANIM

do'-da-nim (dodhanim, "leaders"): In Genesis 10:4, the son of Javan, the son of Japheth. This would place the Dodanim among the Ioninns. The parallel passage 1 Chronicles 1:7, with the Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch, has, however, "Rodanim," which is probably the true reading. This identifies the people with the Rhodians (compare on Ezekiel 27:15 under DEDAN).

Strong's Hebrew
1721. Dodanim -- a son of Javan, also his desc.
... 1720, 1721. Dodanim. 1722 . a son of Javan, also his desc. Transliteration:
Dodanim Phonetic Spelling: (do-daw-neem') Short Definition: Dodanim. ...
/hebrew/1721.htm - 6k
Library

Chapter x
... 4. And the sons of Javan: Ellshah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. ... Numbers 24:24;
Jeremiah 2:10; Ezekiel 27:6 etc. "Dodanim" is another plural noun. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

[Endnotes]
... Ashkenaz, Elishah, Riphath, Tarshish, Togarmah. Kittim, Dodanim. It often happens
that one branch of a family is exceedingly prolific whilst another is barren. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

The Greek Versions as Aids to Biblical Study.
... xxv.16. Dodanim, ddnym, Rhodioi (rdnym), Genesis 10:4. Enhakkore ynhqvr', Pege tou
epikaloumenou, Jud. 15.19. Ichabod, 'ykvvd, ouai barchaboth (? ...
/.../chapter iv the greek versions.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Thesaurus
Dodanim (2 Occurrences)
...DODANIM. do'-da-nim (dodhanim, "leaders"): In Genesis 10:4, the son of Javan, the
son of Japheth. This would place the Dodanim among the Ioninns. ...
/d/dodanim.htm - 8k

Javan (12 Occurrences)
... 4:6) Septuagint hoi Hellenes, ie "Greeks"), "son" of Japheth, and "father" of Elisha,
Tars, Kittim, and Rodarim, ie Rhodes (incorrectly "Dodanim" in Genesis 10 ...
/j/javan.htm - 12k

Rodanim (2 Occurrences)
... rod'-a-nim: The reading of Massoretic Text in 1 Chronicles 1:7 for the DODANIM
(which see) of Genesis 10:4, corresponding to the Rhodioi of the Septuagint in ...
/r/rodanim.htm - 8k

Do'danim (1 Occurrence)
Do'danim. Dodanim, Do'danim. Dodavah . ... Do'danim (1 Occurrence). Genesis 10:4
The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. (See RSV). ...
/d/do'danim.htm - 6k

Kittim (8 Occurrences)
... By the side of Kittim are mentioned Elisha, Tarshish, and Dodanim (= Rodanim of
1 Chronicles 1:7), generally explained respectively as Sicily with Southern ...
/k/kittim.htm - 15k

Dodai (4 Occurrences)

/d/dodai.htm - 8k

Japheth (12 Occurrences)
... of Gomer (Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah) were all settled in the West Asian tract;
while the sons of Javan (Elisah, Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim or Rodanim ...
/j/japheth.htm - 15k

Tarshishah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tarshishah (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 1:7 And sons
of Javan: Elisha, and Tarshishah, Kittim, and Dodanim. (YLT). ...
/t/tarshishah.htm - 6k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... Tarshish (24 Occurrences). Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim,
and Dodanim. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Eli'shah (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eli'shah (3 Occurrences). Genesis 10:4 And the sons
of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. (See RSV). ...
/e/eli'shah.htm - 7k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Dodanim (2 Occurrences)

Genesis 10:4
The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Chronicles 1:7
And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Dodanim

Dodanim: Called Rodanim

Dodanim: Descendants of Noah

Related Terms

Dodanim (2 Occurrences)

Dodavah (1 Occurrence)

Dodai the Ahohite
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