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{{Tribes of Israel}}
{{Tribes of Israel}}


The '''Tribe of Dan''', also sometimes spelled as "Dann", ({{Hebrew Name|דָּן|Dan|Dān|"Judge"}}) was one of the [[Israelites|Tribes of Israel]]. Though known mostly from biblical sources, they were possibly descendants of the [[Denyen]] [[Sea Peoples]] who joined with [[Hebrews]]. Eventually they were excluded from list of sealed tribes for pagan practices.
The '''Tribe of Dan''', also sometimes spelled as "Dann", ({{Hebrew Name|דָּן|Dan|Dān|"Judge"}}) was one of the [[Israelites|Tribes of Israel]]. Though known mostly from biblical sources, they were possibly descendants of the [[Denyen]] [[Sea Peoples]] who joined with [[Hebrews]]. Eventually they were excluded from list of sealed tribes for pagan practices. Their descendants settled [[Ten Lost Tribes|throughout the world]], including in Europe and other places.


==Origin==
==Origin==
{{Main|Denyen}}
{{Main|Denyen}}
[[Image:12 Tribes of Israel Map.svg|thumb|left|The territory of Judah appears in orange at the south on this map of the tribes.]]
[[Image:12 Tribes of Israel Map.svg|thumb|left|The territory of Judah appears in orange at the south on this map of the tribes.]]

⚫
The most famous Danite was [[Samson]], whom some suggest is derived from [[Denyen]] tribal legends.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=fwfvfzrgavAC "Samson: the hero and the man : the story of Samson"], Peter Lang, 2006. ISBN 3039108522, 9783039108527. p. 278-282</ref>


According to the [[Torah]], the tribe consisted of descendants of [[Dan (Bible)|Dan]], a son of [[Jacob]] and [[Bilhah]], [[Rachel|Rachel's]] maidservant ({{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|30:4|HE}}). In the Biblical account, Dan is one of the two children of [[Bilhah]], Rachel's handmaid and one of Jacob's wives, the other child of Bilhah being [[Naphtali]]. Scholars see this as indicating that the authors saw Dan and Naphtali as being not of entirely Israelite origin (hence descendants of ''handmaids'' rather than of full wives).<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref> Some have noted that the territory of the ''handmaid tribes'' happens to be the territory closest to the north and eastern borders of Canaan, thus exposing them to [[Assyria]] and [[Aram (biblical region)|Aram]].<ref>''[[Peake's commentary on the Bible]]''</ref> However, other tribes born to wives, including the firstborn Reuben, were also included on the eastern outskirts, and immediately adjacent to Israel's more traditional enemies at the time of their entry to Canaan, the Moabites and Ammonites (wars with Aram and Assyria did not begin until over 500 years after the entry to Canaan- I Kings 11:25, II Kings 15:19).
According to the [[Torah]], the tribe consisted of descendants of [[Dan (Bible)|Dan]], a son of [[Jacob]] and [[Bilhah]], [[Rachel|Rachel's]] maidservant ({{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|30:4|HE}}). In the Biblical account, Dan is one of the two children of [[Bilhah]], Rachel's handmaid and one of Jacob's wives, the other child of Bilhah being [[Naphtali]]. Scholars see this as indicating that the authors saw Dan and Naphtali as being not of entirely Israelite origin (hence descendants of ''handmaids'' rather than of full wives).<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia''</ref> Some have noted that the territory of the ''handmaid tribes'' happens to be the territory closest to the north and eastern borders of Canaan, thus exposing them to [[Assyria]] and [[Aram (biblical region)|Aram]].<ref>''[[Peake's commentary on the Bible]]''</ref> However, other tribes born to wives, including the firstborn Reuben, were also included on the eastern outskirts, and immediately adjacent to Israel's more traditional enemies at the time of their entry to Canaan, the Moabites and Ammonites (wars with Aram and Assyria did not begin until over 500 years after the entry to Canaan- I Kings 11:25, II Kings 15:19).

Dan had one child, a son named [[List_of_minor_biblical_figures#Hushim|Hashim]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=eKgCAAAAQAAJ "The blessed Virgin's root traced in the tribe of Ephraim"], Francis Henry Laing. R. Washbourne, 1871. p. 358</ref>


According to the biblical narrative, the tribe had originally tried to settle in the central coastal area of Canaan, but due to enmity with the Philistines who had already settled there, were only able to camp in the hill country overlooking the [[Sorek Valley]], the camp location becoming known as ''Mahaneh Dan'' ("Camps of Dan"). ({{bibleverse-lb||Joshua|19|HE}}) The region they were trying to settle included the area as far north as [[Jaffa|Joppa]], and extending south into the [[Shephelah]] in the area of [[Timnah]]; as a result, the modern state of [[Israel]] refers to the region as [[Gush Dan]] (''the Dan area''). However, as a consequence of the pressure from the Philistines, the tribe abandoned hopes of settling near the central coast, instead migrating to the north of the country, and after conquering [[Dan (biblical city)|Laish]], refounded it as their capital (renaming it ''Dan''). ({{bibleverse-lb||Judges|18|HE}})
According to the biblical narrative, the tribe had originally tried to settle in the central coastal area of Canaan, but due to enmity with the Philistines who had already settled there, were only able to camp in the hill country overlooking the [[Sorek Valley]], the camp location becoming known as ''Mahaneh Dan'' ("Camps of Dan"). ({{bibleverse-lb||Joshua|19|HE}}) The region they were trying to settle included the area as far north as [[Jaffa|Joppa]], and extending south into the [[Shephelah]] in the area of [[Timnah]]; as a result, the modern state of [[Israel]] refers to the region as [[Gush Dan]] (''the Dan area''). However, as a consequence of the pressure from the Philistines, the tribe abandoned hopes of settling near the central coast, instead migrating to the north of the country, and after conquering [[Dan (biblical city)|Laish]], refounded it as their capital (renaming it ''Dan''). ({{bibleverse-lb||Judges|18|HE}})


==History==
==History==
According to the [[Hebrew Bible]], following the completion of the conquest of [[Canaan]] by the [[Israelite]] tribes after about [[1200 BCE]],<ref name = "pnxthp">Kitchen, Kenneth A. (2003), "On the Reliability of the Old Testament" (Grand Rapids, Michigan. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)(ISBN 0-8028-4960-1)</ref> [[Joshua]] allocated the land among the twelve tribes. Dan was allocated the most northerly region, to the north of the [[Galilee]], and west of the [[Jordan River|Jordan]], stretching north as far as [[Dan (biblical city)|Laish]], Dan's main city (which became known as ''Dan''). ({{bibleverse||Joshua|19:40-48|HE}})
According to the [[Hebrew Bible]], following the completion of the conquest of [[Canaan]] by the [[Israelite]] tribes after about [[1200 BCE]],<ref name = "pnxthp">Kitchen, Kenneth A. (2003), "On the Reliability of the Old Testament" (Grand Rapids, Michigan. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)(ISBN 0-8028-4960-1)</ref> [[Joshua]] allocated the land among the twelve tribes. During this time, [[List_of_minor_biblical_figures#Bukki|Bukki]] was the prince of the tribe. Dan was allocated the most northerly region, to the north of the [[Galilee]], and west of the [[Jordan River|Jordan]], stretching north as far as [[Dan (biblical city)|Laish]], Dan's main city (which became known as ''Dan''). ({{bibleverse||Joshua|19:40-48|HE}})


In the Biblical [[census]] of the [[Book of Numbers]], the tribe of Dan is portrayed as the second largest Israelite tribe (after Judah).<ref>{{bibleverse||Numbers|1:39|HE}}</ref> Some [[Textual criticism|textual scholars]] regard the census as being from the [[Priestly Source]], dating it to around the [[7th century BC]], and more likely to reflect the biases of its authors, though this still implies that Dan was one of the largest tribes at a point fresh to the memories of the 7th century BC.<ref>[[Richard Elliott Friedman]], ''[[Who Wrote the Bible?]]'' (Harper San Francisco) (1987) ISBN 0-06-063035-3</ref><ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Book of Numbers''</ref> In the ''[[Blessing of Moses]]'', which some textual scholars regard as dating from only slightly earlier than the [[deuteronomist]],<ref>Richard Elliott Friedman, ''Who wrote the Bible?''</ref> Dan is seemingly prophesied to ''leap from Bashan''; scholars are uncertain why this should be since the tribe are not recorded as having ever been resident in the [[Bashan]] plain, which lies to the east of the Jordan.<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Dan''</ref>
In the Biblical [[census]] of the [[Book of Numbers]], the tribe of Dan is portrayed as the second largest Israelite tribe (after Judah).<ref>{{bibleverse||Numbers|1:39|HE}}</ref> Some [[Textual criticism|textual scholars]] regard the census as being from the [[Priestly Source]], dating it to around the [[7th century BC]], and more likely to reflect the biases of its authors, though this still implies that Dan was one of the largest tribes at a point fresh to the memories of the 7th century BC.<ref>[[Richard Elliott Friedman]], ''[[Who Wrote the Bible?]]'' (Harper San Francisco) (1987) ISBN 0-06-063035-3</ref><ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Book of Numbers''</ref> In the ''[[Blessing of Moses]]'', which some textual scholars regard as dating from only slightly earlier than the [[deuteronomist]],<ref>Richard Elliott Friedman, ''Who wrote the Bible?''</ref> Dan is seemingly prophesied to ''leap from Bashan''; scholars are uncertain why this should be since the tribe are not recorded as having ever been resident in the [[Bashan]] plain, which lies to the east of the Jordan.<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Dan''</ref>
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From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first [[Kingdom of Israel (united kingdom)|Kingdom of Israel]] in c. [[1050 BC]], the Tribe of Dan was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government existed, and in times of crisis the people were led by ad hoc leaders known as [[Biblical judges|Judges]]. (see the [[Book of Judges]]) With the growth of the threat from Philistine incursions, the Israelite tribes decided to form a strong centralised monarchy to meet the challenge, and the Tribe of Dan joined the new kingdom with [[Saul]] as the first king. After the death of Saul, all the tribes other than Judah remained loyal to the House of Saul, but after the death of [[Ish-bosheth]], Saul's son and successor to the throne of Israel, the Tribe of Dan joined the other northern Israelite tribes in making [[David]], who was then the king of Judah, king of a re-united Kingdom of Israel. However, on the accession of [[Rehoboam]], David's grandson, in c. 930 BC the northern tribes split from the [[Davidic line|House of David]] to reform a Kingdom of Israel as the Northern Kingdom.
From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first [[Kingdom of Israel (united kingdom)|Kingdom of Israel]] in c. [[1050 BC]], the Tribe of Dan was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government existed, and in times of crisis the people were led by ad hoc leaders known as [[Biblical judges|Judges]]. (see the [[Book of Judges]]) With the growth of the threat from Philistine incursions, the Israelite tribes decided to form a strong centralised monarchy to meet the challenge, and the Tribe of Dan joined the new kingdom with [[Saul]] as the first king. After the death of Saul, all the tribes other than Judah remained loyal to the House of Saul, but after the death of [[Ish-bosheth]], Saul's son and successor to the throne of Israel, the Tribe of Dan joined the other northern Israelite tribes in making [[David]], who was then the king of Judah, king of a re-united Kingdom of Israel. However, on the accession of [[Rehoboam]], David's grandson, in c. 930 BC the northern tribes split from the [[Davidic line|House of David]] to reform a Kingdom of Israel as the Northern Kingdom.


⚫
The most celebrated Danite was [[Samson]], whom some suggest is derived from [[Denyen]] tribal legends.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=fwfvfzrgavAC "Samson: the hero and the man : the story of Samson"], Peter Lang, 2006. ISBN 3039108522, 9783039108527. p. 278-282</ref>
Brandao' (Brandão) is a Portuguese surname, from the three Hebrew particles Bar-An-Dan; Bar means 'son', Am or An means 'tribe', thus Son of the Tribe of Dan is Bar-An-Dan, which becomes Brandão.


===Symbology===
===Symbology and landmarks===
[[Image:Dã.JPG|right|thumb|Portuguese sketch. The English name is '''Dan'''.]]
[[File:Bnei Brak IMG 5851.JPG|left|thumb|Scales of justice emblem of the tribe]]
[[File:Bnei Brak IMG 5851.JPG|left|thumb|Scales of justice emblem of the tribe]]
Modern artists use the "scales of justice" to represent the Tribe of Dan due to {{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|49:16|HE}}referencing Dan judging his people. However, more traditional artists use a snake to represent Dan, based on {{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|49:17|HE}}.
Modern artists use the "scales of justice" to represent the Tribe of Dan due to {{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|49:16|HE}} referencing Dan judging his people. However, more traditional artists use a serpent to represent Dan, based on {{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|49:17|HE}}. The [[eagle]], which was the armorial bearer on its banner, and the [[scorpion]], are also symbols associated with the tribe. Colors associated with the tribe's flag included red and white.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=7h0YT_QXdLsC "Dictionary of the Bible: biographical, geographical, historical, and doctrinal"], Charles Randall Barnes. Eaton & Mains, 1900. p. 243</ref>

The [[sapphire]] [[List_of_precious_stones_in_the_Bible#Sapphire|represented the tribe]] religiously on the [[Priestly breastplate|ephod of the high priest]],<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=OsZAAQAAIAAJ "The Catholic encyclopedia: an international work of reference on the constitution, doctrine, discipline, and history of the Catholic church, Volume 14"], Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne, Andrew Alphonsus MacErlean. Robert Appleton company, 1912. p. 308</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=4koHcLYaKw4C "Catholic Bible-RSV"], Ignatius Press, 2006. ISBN 0898708346, 9780898708349. p. 70</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=5HdPAAAAYAAJ "A Biblical and theological dictionary"], Richard Watson. Carlton & Phillips, 1833. p. 180</ref> situated between the [[Tribe of Judah]]'s [[emerald]]<ref name=TA>[http://books.google.com/books?id=9R_nAAAAMAAJ "The American tyler-keystone: devoted to freemasonry and its concerdant others, Volume 14"], John. H. Brownell, Arthur Maurice Smith, Joseph E. Morcombe, Richard Pride, George T. Campbell. J. H. Brownell, 1899. p. 442</ref> and the [[Tribe of Naphtali]]'s diamond.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=AYFPAAAAYAAJ "Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of free and accepted masons of the District of Columbia, Volume 2"], Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. The Grand Lodge, 1873. p. 270</ref>

The tribe's season is [[autumn]] astrologically.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=QbARAAAAYAAJ "The Comet, Volumes 1-2"], H. D. Robinson. H.M. Duhecquet., 1833. p. 311</ref>

The towers of Ailon, Selebi, and [[Emmaus Nicopolis]] were notable landmarks of the tribe.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=BbMeAQAAIAAJ "A Dictionary of the Bible: Red-Sea-Zuzims"], Sir Robert Smith. J. Murray, 1863. p. 1220</ref>


===Characteristics===
===Characteristics===
Their primary trade characteristic was seafaring, unusual for the Israeli tribes.<ref>Mediterranean archaeology, Volume 16. University of Sydney. Dept. of Archaeology. 2003. p. 117</ref> In the [[Song of Deborah]] the tribe is said to have stayed on their ships with their belongings.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=kX7YXtI4POkC "The Children of Noah: Jewish Seafaring in Ancient Times"], Raphael Patai. Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0691009686, 9780691009681. p. 59</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=9kUC4DhNZ4YC "King, cult, and calendar in ancient Israel: collected studies"], Shemaryahu Talmon. BRILL, 1986. ISBN 9652236519, 9789652236517. p. 97</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=MFbHT73BxpAC "Women in scripture: a dictionary of named and unnamed women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books, and the New Testament"], Carol L. Meyers, Toni Craven, Ross Shepard Kraemer. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0802849628, 9780802849625. p. 270</ref>
Their primary trade characteristic was [[seafaring]], unusual for the Israeli tribes,<ref>Mediterranean archaeology, Volume 16. University of Sydney. Dept. of Archaeology. 2003. p. 117</ref> and they pursued [[commerce]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=GZYXAAAAYAAJ "Sacred geography"], Elijah Parish. Samuel T. Armstrong, 1813</ref> In the [[Song of Deborah]] the tribe is said to have stayed on their ships with their belongings.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=kX7YXtI4POkC "The Children of Noah: Jewish Seafaring in Ancient Times"], Raphael Patai. Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0691009686, 9780691009681. p. 59</ref>


They excelled in [[Ruse of war|stratagems]],<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=a4ZUAAAAYAAJ "The Holy Bible: containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the authorised version; with explanatory notes, practical observations, and copious marginal references, Volume 1"], Thomas Scott. S. T. Armstrong, 1832. p. 179</ref> and they were militaristic in nature having lived next to the [[Phillistines]], while being aggressive and valorous.<ref name=TM /> Other descriptions include warlike, independent, and freebooters.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=fN0sAAAAYAAJ "A concise dictionary of the Bible: comprising its antiquities, biography, geography, and natural history: being a condensation of the larger dictionary"], Sir William Smith. Little, Brown, and Company, 1865. p. 186=187</ref> Many decisions were made based on military calculation, such as conquering Laish from the territory of the [[Tribe of Ephraim]] and renaming it Dan.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=mwlMAAAAYAAJ "A Critical Commentary and Paraphrase on the Old and New Testament and the Apocrypha: Judges-Psalms"], Simon Patrick, William Lowth, Richard Arnald, Moses Lowman, Daniel Whitby. Carey and Hart, 1844. p. 80</ref> The conquest is recounted in the story of [[Micah's Idol]].
⚫
Many [[Ethiopian Jews]], also known as [[Beta Israel]], claim descent from the Tribe of Dan who migrated south into the [[Kingdom of Kush]], now [[Ethiopia]] and [[Sudan]],<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=sjO8JOSKDCMC "From tragedy to triumph: the politics behind the rescue of Ethiopian Jewry"], Mitchell Geoffrey Bard. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. ISBN 0275970000, 9780275970000. p. 2</ref> during the destruction of the [[First Temple]]. This position is supported by former Sephardic Chief Rabbi [[Ovadia Yosef]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=eK-8KYhnTVkC "Ideology, policy, and practice: education for immigrants and minorities in Israel today"], Devorah Kalekin-Fishman. Springer, 2004. ISBN 1402080735, 9781402080739. p. 274</ref> Religious writers have tried to attach the serpent [[Haitian Vodou|voodoo]] God [[Damballa|Danbhala]] to this group, as the practice they suggest was a heterodox form of Ethiopian Judaism.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=CwUo8zcsinoC "The system of Antichrist: truth & falsehood in postmodernism and the New Age Religious"], Charles Upton. Sophia Perennis, 2005. ISBN 0900588381, 9780900588389. p. 441</ref>

They were artisans, the tribe including [[Hiram Abiff]] and [[Aholiab]] as descendants, who possibly introduced architectural knowledge to the [[Greeks]] and [[Goths]].<ref name=TM>[http://books.google.com/books?id=3GYUAAAAYAAJ "The missing links: or, The Anglo-Saxons, the ten tribes of Israel"], Morton W. Spencer. The Holliswood Press, 1901. p. 41, 190</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=9kUC4DhNZ4YC "King, cult, and calendar in ancient Israel: collected studies"], Shemaryahu Talmon. BRILL, 1986. ISBN 9652236519, 9789652236517. p. 97</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=MFbHT73BxpAC "Women in scripture: a dictionary of named and unnamed women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books, and the New Testament"], Carol L. Meyers, Toni Craven, Ross Shepard Kraemer. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0802849628, 9780802849625. p. 270</ref>

The tribe was disobedient, continuing to worship [[Baʿal]], establishing rival priesthoods, practicing [[paganism]],<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=hWkoFOvbWW4C "Tyndale Bible Dictionary"], Walter A. Elwell, Philip Wesley Comfort. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2001. ISBN 0842370897, 9780842370899. p. 347</ref> and considered the blacksheep of the tribes.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=N38G8ac9Y10C "The Jewish encyclopedia: a descriptive record of the history, religion, literature, and customs of the Jewish people from the earliest times to the present day, Volume 4"], Isidore Singer, Cyrus Adler. Funk and Wagnalls, 1912. p. 423</ref>


==Fate==
==Fate==
As part of the [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|Kingdom of Israel]], the territory of Dan was conquered by the [[ancient Assyrians|Assyrians]], [[Assyrian captivity of Israel|and exiled]]; the manner of their exile led to [[Lost Ten Tribes|their further history being lost]].
As part of the [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|Kingdom of Israel]], the territory of Dan was conquered by the [[ancient Assyrians|Assyrians]], [[Assyrian captivity of Israel|and exiled]]; the manner of their exile led to [[Lost Ten Tribes|their further history being lost]]. They were scattered throughout the world, including in Europe and other places.

⚫
[[Ethiopian Jews]], also known as [[Beta Israel]], claim descent from the Tribe of Dan, whose members migrated south along with members of the Tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, into the [[Kingdom of Kush]], now [[Ethiopia]] and [[Sudan]],<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=sjO8JOSKDCMC "From tragedy to triumph: the politics behind the rescue of Ethiopian Jewry"], Mitchell Geoffrey Bard. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. ISBN 0275970000, 9780275970000. p. 2</ref> during the destruction of the [[First Temple]]. This position is supported by former Sephardic Chief Rabbi [[Ovadia Yosef]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=eK-8KYhnTVkC "Ideology, policy, and practice: education for immigrants and minorities in Israel today"], Devorah Kalekin-Fishman. Springer, 2004. ISBN 1402080735, 9781402080739. p. 274</ref> They are said to have fought with the natives.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=qaIs-xV5sHcC "The image of the Black in Jewish culture: a history of the other"], Abraham Melamed. Psychology Press, 2003. ISBN 0700715878, 9780700715879. p. 153</ref> Religious writers have tried to attach the serpent [[Haitian Vodou|voodoo]] God [[Damballa|Danbhala]] to this group, as the practice they suggest was a heterodox form of Ethiopian Judaism.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=CwUo8zcsinoC "The system of Antichrist: truth & falsehood in postmodernism and the New Age Religious"], Charles Upton. Sophia Perennis, 2005. ISBN 0900588381, 9780900588389. p. 441</ref>


According to the [[Book of Revelation]] (7:4-8), the tribe of Dan is the only original tribe of Israel which is not included in the list of tribes which are sealed. No mention is made of why they are excluded. It could be because of their pagan practices.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=S5GJaakRvPgC "The uttermost part of the earth: a guide to places in the Bible"], Richard R. Losch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0802828051, 9780802828057. p. 83</ref> This made [[Hippolytus of Rome]] and a few [[Millennialism|Millennialists]] apparently claim that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=I6JTKREkHUkC&pg=PA4 "Understanding Dan: an exegetical study of a biblical city, tribe and ancestor"], Mark W. Bartusch. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2003. ISBN 0826466575, 9780826466570. p. 4</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=N1XYXMTe1jYC "The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology"], Jerry L. Walls. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN 0199735883, 9780199735884. p. 371</ref>
According to the [[Book of Revelation]] (7:4-8), the tribe of Dan is the only original tribe of Israel which is not included in the list of tribes which are sealed. No mention is made of why they are excluded. It could be because of their pagan practices.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=S5GJaakRvPgC "The uttermost part of the earth: a guide to places in the Bible"], Richard R. Losch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0802828051, 9780802828057. p. 83</ref> This made [[Hippolytus of Rome]] and a few [[Millennialism|Millennialists]] apparently claim that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=I6JTKREkHUkC&pg=PA4 "Understanding Dan: an exegetical study of a biblical city, tribe and ancestor"], Mark W. Bartusch. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2003. ISBN 0826466575, 9780826466570. p. 4</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=N1XYXMTe1jYC "The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology"], Jerry L. Walls. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN 0199735883, 9780199735884. p. 371</ref>

Revision as of 00:45, 18 November 2011

For the 1990s band, see Dan Donovan (guitarist).
For the post 2011 Boston-based Band Tribe of Dan, see Dan Fallon (performance artist).
Tribes of Israel
The Tribes of Israel
Other tribes
Related topics

The Tribe of Dan, also sometimes spelled as "Dann", (Hebrew: דָּן, Modern: Dan, Tiberian: Dān, "Judge") was one of the Tribes of Israel. Though known mostly from biblical sources, they were possibly descendants of the Denyen Sea Peoples who joined with Hebrews. Eventually they were excluded from list of sealed tribes for pagan practices. Their descendants settled throughout the world, including in Europe and other places.

Origin

Main article: Denyen
The territory of Judah appears in orange at the south on this map of the tribes.

According to the Torah, the tribe consisted of descendants of Dan, a son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:4). In the Biblical account, Dan is one of the two children of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid and one of Jacob's wives, the other child of Bilhah being Naphtali. Scholars see this as indicating that the authors saw Dan and Naphtali as being not of entirely Israelite origin (hence descendants of handmaids rather than of full wives).[1] Some have noted that the territory of the handmaid tribes happens to be the territory closest to the north and eastern borders of Canaan, thus exposing them to Assyria and Aram.[2] However, other tribes born to wives, including the firstborn Reuben, were also included on the eastern outskirts, and immediately adjacent to Israel's more traditional enemies at the time of their entry to Canaan, the Moabites and Ammonites (wars with Aram and Assyria did not begin until over 500 years after the entry to Canaan- I Kings 11:25, II Kings 15:19).

Dan had one child, a son named Hashim.[3]

According to the biblical narrative, the tribe had originally tried to settle in the central coastal area of Canaan, but due to enmity with the Philistines who had already settled there, were only able to camp in the hill country overlooking the Sorek Valley, the camp location becoming known as Mahaneh Dan ("Camps of Dan"). (Joshua 19) The region they were trying to settle included the area as far north as Joppa, and extending south into the Shephelah in the area of Timnah; as a result, the modern state of Israel refers to the region as Gush Dan (the Dan area). However, as a consequence of the pressure from the Philistines, the tribe abandoned hopes of settling near the central coast, instead migrating to the north of the country, and after conquering Laish, refounded it as their capital (renaming it Dan). (Judges 18)

History

According to the Hebrew Bible, following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE,[4] Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes. During this time, Bukki was the prince of the tribe. Dan was allocated the most northerly region, to the north of the Galilee, and west of the Jordan, stretching north as far as Laish, Dan's main city (which became known as Dan). (Joshua 19:40–48)

In the Biblical census of the Book of Numbers, the tribe of Dan is portrayed as the second largest Israelite tribe (after Judah).[5] Some textual scholars regard the census as being from the Priestly Source, dating it to around the 7th century BC, and more likely to reflect the biases of its authors, though this still implies that Dan was one of the largest tribes at a point fresh to the memories of the 7th century BC.[6][7] In the Blessing of Moses, which some textual scholars regard as dating from only slightly earlier than the deuteronomist,[8] Dan is seemingly prophesied to leap from Bashan; scholars are uncertain why this should be since the tribe are not recorded as having ever been resident in the Bashan plain, which lies to the east of the Jordan.[9]

From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel in c. 1050 BC, the Tribe of Dan was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government existed, and in times of crisis the people were led by ad hoc leaders known as Judges. (see the Book of Judges) With the growth of the threat from Philistine incursions, the Israelite tribes decided to form a strong centralised monarchy to meet the challenge, and the Tribe of Dan joined the new kingdom with Saul as the first king. After the death of Saul, all the tribes other than Judah remained loyal to the House of Saul, but after the death of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and successor to the throne of Israel, the Tribe of Dan joined the other northern Israelite tribes in making David, who was then the king of Judah, king of a re-united Kingdom of Israel. However, on the accession of Rehoboam, David's grandson, in c. 930 BC the northern tribes split from the House of David to reform a Kingdom of Israel as the Northern Kingdom.

The most celebrated Danite was Samson, whom some suggest is derived from Denyen tribal legends.[10]

Symbology and landmarks

Portuguese sketch. The English name is Dan.
Scales of justice emblem of the tribe

Modern artists use the "scales of justice" to represent the Tribe of Dan due to Genesis 49:16 referencing Dan judging his people. However, more traditional artists use a serpent to represent Dan, based on Genesis 49:17. The eagle, which was the armorial bearer on its banner, and the scorpion, are also symbols associated with the tribe. Colors associated with the tribe's flag included red and white.[11]

The sapphire represented the tribe religiously on the ephod of the high priest,[12][13][14] situated between the Tribe of Judah's emerald[15] and the Tribe of Naphtali's diamond.[16]

The tribe's season is autumn astrologically.[17]

The towers of Ailon, Selebi, and Emmaus Nicopolis were notable landmarks of the tribe.[18]

Characteristics

Their primary trade characteristic was seafaring, unusual for the Israeli tribes,[19] and they pursued commerce.[20] In the Song of Deborah the tribe is said to have stayed on their ships with their belongings.[21]

They excelled in stratagems,[22] and they were militaristic in nature having lived next to the Phillistines, while being aggressive and valorous.[23] Other descriptions include warlike, independent, and freebooters.[24] Many decisions were made based on military calculation, such as conquering Laish from the territory of the Tribe of Ephraim and renaming it Dan.[25] The conquest is recounted in the story of Micah's Idol.

They were artisans, the tribe including Hiram Abiff and Aholiab as descendants, who possibly introduced architectural knowledge to the Greeks and Goths.[23][26][27]

The tribe was disobedient, continuing to worship Baʿal, establishing rival priesthoods, practicing paganism,[28] and considered the blacksheep of the tribes.[29]

Fate

As part of the Kingdom of Israel, the territory of Dan was conquered by the Assyrians, and exiled; the manner of their exile led to their further history being lost. They were scattered throughout the world, including in Europe and other places.

Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel, claim descent from the Tribe of Dan, whose members migrated south along with members of the Tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, into the Kingdom of Kush, now Ethiopia and Sudan,[30] during the destruction of the First Temple. This position is supported by former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.[31] They are said to have fought with the natives.[32] Religious writers have tried to attach the serpent voodoo God Danbhala to this group, as the practice they suggest was a heterodox form of Ethiopian Judaism.[33]

According to the Book of Revelation (7:4-8), the tribe of Dan is the only original tribe of Israel which is not included in the list of tribes which are sealed. No mention is made of why they are excluded. It could be because of their pagan practices.[34] This made Hippolytus of Rome and a few Millennialists apparently claim that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan.[35][36]

The tribes of Joseph and of Levi are mentioned in Revelation 7:5-8, while they were not commonly counted as tribes elsewhere. In most listings of the twelve tribes Levi is omitted, since the inheritance of Levi are the sacrifices of Israel and not an allotment of territory. Ordinarily Ephraim and the Tribe of Manasseh take the place of Joseph to keep the number of tribes at twelve once Levi is excluded. If Dan were excluded from Revelation 7:5-8 due to its being a seat of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom, perhaps the same reasoning might account for the exclusion of Ephraim since the other seat of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom was Bethel, situated in the territory of Ephraim. However, in Numbers 1:32, the tribe of Ephraim is clearly referenced as representing the "children of Joseph," thus, Ephraim appears to be a euphemism for Joseph, explaining Ephraim's apparent omission in Revelation chapter 7.

See also

References

  1. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Peake's commentary on the Bible
  3. ^ "The blessed Virgin's root traced in the tribe of Ephraim", Francis Henry Laing. R. Washbourne, 1871. p. 358
  4. ^ Kitchen, Kenneth A. (2003), "On the Reliability of the Old Testament" (Grand Rapids, Michigan. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)(ISBN 0-8028-4960-1)
  5. ^ Numbers 1:39
  6. ^ Richard Elliott Friedman, Who Wrote the Bible? (Harper San Francisco) (1987) ISBN 0-06-063035-3
  7. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia, Book of Numbers
  8. ^ Richard Elliott Friedman, Who wrote the Bible?
  9. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia, Dan
  10. ^ "Samson: the hero and the man : the story of Samson", Peter Lang, 2006. ISBN 3039108522, 9783039108527. p. 278-282
  11. ^ "Dictionary of the Bible: biographical, geographical, historical, and doctrinal", Charles Randall Barnes. Eaton & Mains, 1900. p. 243
  12. ^ "The Catholic encyclopedia: an international work of reference on the constitution, doctrine, discipline, and history of the Catholic church, Volume 14", Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne, Andrew Alphonsus MacErlean. Robert Appleton company, 1912. p. 308
  13. ^ "Catholic Bible-RSV", Ignatius Press, 2006. ISBN 0898708346, 9780898708349. p. 70
  14. ^ "A Biblical and theological dictionary", Richard Watson. Carlton & Phillips, 1833. p. 180
  15. ^ "The American tyler-keystone: devoted to freemasonry and its concerdant others, Volume 14", John. H. Brownell, Arthur Maurice Smith, Joseph E. Morcombe, Richard Pride, George T. Campbell. J. H. Brownell, 1899. p. 442
  16. ^ "Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of free and accepted masons of the District of Columbia, Volume 2", Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. The Grand Lodge, 1873. p. 270
  17. ^ "The Comet, Volumes 1-2", H. D. Robinson. H.M. Duhecquet., 1833. p. 311
  18. ^ "A Dictionary of the Bible: Red-Sea-Zuzims", Sir Robert Smith. J. Murray, 1863. p. 1220
  19. ^ Mediterranean archaeology, Volume 16. University of Sydney. Dept. of Archaeology. 2003. p. 117
  20. ^ "Sacred geography", Elijah Parish. Samuel T. Armstrong, 1813
  21. ^ "The Children of Noah: Jewish Seafaring in Ancient Times", Raphael Patai. Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0691009686, 9780691009681. p. 59
  22. ^ "The Holy Bible: containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the authorised version; with explanatory notes, practical observations, and copious marginal references, Volume 1", Thomas Scott. S. T. Armstrong, 1832. p. 179
  23. ^ a b "The missing links: or, The Anglo-Saxons, the ten tribes of Israel", Morton W. Spencer. The Holliswood Press, 1901. p. 41, 190
  24. ^ "A concise dictionary of the Bible: comprising its antiquities, biography, geography, and natural history: being a condensation of the larger dictionary", Sir William Smith. Little, Brown, and Company, 1865. p. 186=187
  25. ^ "A Critical Commentary and Paraphrase on the Old and New Testament and the Apocrypha: Judges-Psalms", Simon Patrick, William Lowth, Richard Arnald, Moses Lowman, Daniel Whitby. Carey and Hart, 1844. p. 80
  26. ^ "King, cult, and calendar in ancient Israel: collected studies", Shemaryahu Talmon. BRILL, 1986. ISBN 9652236519, 9789652236517. p. 97
  27. ^ "Women in scripture: a dictionary of named and unnamed women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books, and the New Testament", Carol L. Meyers, Toni Craven, Ross Shepard Kraemer. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0802849628, 9780802849625. p. 270
  28. ^ "Tyndale Bible Dictionary", Walter A. Elwell, Philip Wesley Comfort. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2001. ISBN 0842370897, 9780842370899. p. 347
  29. ^ "The Jewish encyclopedia: a descriptive record of the history, religion, literature, and customs of the Jewish people from the earliest times to the present day, Volume 4", Isidore Singer, Cyrus Adler. Funk and Wagnalls, 1912. p. 423
  30. ^ "From tragedy to triumph: the politics behind the rescue of Ethiopian Jewry", Mitchell Geoffrey Bard. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. ISBN 0275970000, 9780275970000. p. 2
  31. ^ "Ideology, policy, and practice: education for immigrants and minorities in Israel today", Devorah Kalekin-Fishman. Springer, 2004. ISBN 1402080735, 9781402080739. p. 274
  32. ^ "The image of the Black in Jewish culture: a history of the other", Abraham Melamed. Psychology Press, 2003. ISBN 0700715878, 9780700715879. p. 153
  33. ^ "The system of Antichrist: truth & falsehood in postmodernism and the New Age Religious", Charles Upton. Sophia Perennis, 2005. ISBN 0900588381, 9780900588389. p. 441
  34. ^ "The uttermost part of the earth: a guide to places in the Bible", Richard R. Losch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0802828051, 9780802828057. p. 83
  35. ^ "Understanding Dan: an exegetical study of a biblical city, tribe and ancestor", Mark W. Bartusch. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2003. ISBN 0826466575, 9780826466570. p. 4
  36. ^ "The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology", Jerry L. Walls. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN 0199735883, 9780199735884. p. 371
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