Bible Strands
Genesis 49:16
Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses his twelve sons on his deathbed, pronouncing a prophetic blessing over each tribe. In Genesis 49:16, he specifically declares Dan’s designated role within the covenant community.
The words — The Hebrew יָדִ֣ין (ya.Din) means "he will judge," and עַמּ֑/וֹ (a.M/o) translates to "his people." These terms anchor the tribe’s identity in the administration of justice.
The thread — The tribe’s function appears in Deuteronomy 33:22, where Dan is called a lion’s cub leaping from Bashan, and in Numbers 10:25, where his division forms the rear guard. Genesis 30:6 records Rachel naming him Dan because God vindicated her.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that Dan will judge his people as one of Israel’s tribes. This demands the reader acknowledge that communal stability depends on each tribe faithfully executing its assigned judicial responsibility.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 33:22 Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”
- Genesis 30:6 Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan.
- 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.
- Judges 13:2 Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children.
- Judges 13:24 So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him.
- Judges 15:20 And Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.
- Judges 18:1 In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
- Judges 18:26 So the Danites went on their way, and Micah turned to go back home, because he saw that they were too strong for him.