Bible Strands
Genesis 49:17
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses his twelve sons on his deathbed, delivering final prophetic declarations over each tribe's future. In this verse, he speaks directly to the descendants of Dan regarding their tribal destiny.
The words — The Hebrew נָחָשׁ (naḥāš) translates literally to "snake," paired with שְׁפִיפֹן (šəpîpōn), meaning "viper." These terms establish the concrete metaphor defining Dan's lineage.
The thread — The serpent imagery recurs in the tribe's historical record, particularly in Judges 18:22 and Judges 14:1, which document Dan's military movements and territorial actions. 1 Chronicles 12:35 further notes the tribe's substantial martial contribution, reflecting the strategic positioning implied by the metaphor.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe how prophetic declarations map directly onto historical tribal behavior. It asks for acknowledgment that divine foresight operates through concrete, observable events rather than abstract promises.
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 be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
Cross-references
- Judges 18:22 After they were some distance from Micah’s house, the men in the houses near Micah’s house mobilized and overtook the Danites.
- 1 Chronicles 12:35 From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.
- Judges 14:1 One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman.
- Judges 16:22 However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.