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Meaning and etymology of the Hebrew name Dan




Dan Dan


Dan is the name of a tribe of Israel, which descended from Dan, the son of Jacob and Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Dan's only full brother is Naphtali.

But prior to the existence of Dan the tribe, there was a town (or region) named Dan, mentioned in the War of Four against Five Kings (Genesis 14:14). In Judges 19:7 we learn about a town called Laish, near Beth-rehob, which is raised to the ground by a gang of Danites. They rebuild the town and call it Dan, after their tribal founder. The Oxford Companion to the Bible, however, claims that this city Dan is the same as the one mentioned in Genesis 14:14, and called so in retrospect.

Dan was named by Rachel who exclaimed, "God has judged me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son" (Genesis 30:6).
Later, Jacob - now named Israel - gathers his people around his death bed, he says, "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel" (Genesis 49:16).

Hence it's pretty safe to say that the name Dan comes from the Hebrew verb din (din) meaning to judge, contend, plead. Some derivatives are din (din), meaning judgment; din (dayyan), meaning judge; madon (madon), meaning strife, contention; medina (medina), meaning province (probably: jurisdiction).

HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament notes that this verb occurs far fewer times in the Bible than some other verbs that mean to judge, rule or govern. "The chief theological significance of this word is that apparently it embodies the idea of government, in whatever realm, in all aspects.[] It represents God's government as both among his people and among all people.".

For a translation of the name Dan, BDB Theological Dictionary and the NOBS Study Bible Name List agree on Judge. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Judge, Judging.

Other names derived of the verb din are Abidan, Daniel, Dinah, Jadon, Madon, Medan and Midian.






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