And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps from Bashan.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 33:22
What does Deuteronomy 33:22 mean?
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Deuteronomy 33:22
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The tribe of Dan is compared to a young lion ("whelp") that leaps from Bashan, highlighting their fierce, predatory nature and the sudden, powerful actions they would take, especially as they migrated north to settle new territory. This imagery suggests a tribe known for its strength and decisive, even aggressive, moves, mirroring the predatory instincts of a young lion emerging from its lair.
And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps from Bashan.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death, a powerful prophetic testament to their future. After blessing several tribes with specific promises, he turns to Dan, comparing the tribe to a young lion. This imagery foreshadows their future strength and aggressive actions, particularly their eventual migration to and conquest of Laish in the north, a daring leap from their ancestral lands near Bashan.
Moses calls Dan a 'lion's whelp.' What does this image tell us about this tribe's character and destiny?
The imagery of a 'lion's whelp' speaks of inherent power, potential for ferocity, and the courage found even in the young. This isn't a gentle creature; it's a symbol of strength waiting to be unleashed.
The phrase 'leaps from Bashan' is striking. What does this specific geographical and action-oriented phrase reveal about Dan's impact?
The 'leap from Bashan' is a powerful metaphor for Dan's strategic movement and impact.
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Understand the original words
aryeh · Hebrew Noun
A powerful predator used metaphorically in Scripture to symbolize strength, ferocity, courage, and leadership. It is often associated with the tribe of Judah (the Lion of Judah) but here depicts military prowess.
Moses' powerful image of Dan as a 'lion's whelp leaping from Bashan' captures the tribe's history of seeking new territory with fierce determination, particularly their northward migration and conquest of Laish, a region near the formidable Mount Bashan.
~1400 BC
Tribal Allotments in Canaan
Following the conquest of Canaan, the tribes of Israel received their allotted portions of land. The tribe of Dan was initially assigned territory in the southwestern part of the land.
~1400 BC
Dan's Southern Territory Insufficient
The land allotted to the tribe of Dan proved to be too small and was later encroached upon by the Amorites, prompting them to seek new territory.
~1375 BC— this verse
Danite Migration North
A contingent of Danites migrated northward, seeking a more suitable and secure homeland. They conquered the city of Leshem and renamed it Dan, establishing a new settlement in the northernmost part of Israel.
~1075-1037 BC
Samson's Judgeship
The most famous son of the tribe of Dan, Samson, served as a judge in Israel during this period. His heroic feats against the Philistines exemplify the fierce, lion-like spirit attributed to the tribe.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
The northern regions of Israel, including the area around Dan, were conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. This marked a significant loss of territory and influence for the northern tribes.
This passage describes the Danites' migration and conquest of Laish, echoing the 'lion's whelp' imagery with a sudden, aggressive act that takes the city.
Genesis 49:16-17Jacob's earlier prophecy compares Dan to a serpent that strikes, a similar theme of sudden, effective action against enemies, contrasting with Moses' 'lion' imagery which emphasizes strength and ferocity.
Psalm 22:12This psalm speaks of 'many bulls' (often interpreted as the powerful rulers of Bashan) surrounding the Psalmist, creating a picture of a dangerous, wild region from which a predator might emerge, aligning with Dan's fierce nature.
Judges 14:5-6Samson, a Danite, famously tore a lion apart with his bare hands, directly fulfilling the 'lion's whelp' metaphor with incredible strength and divine empowerment.
calvinDeuteronomy 33:1-29: "And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death."
And for the precious things of the earth, and fullness thereof, and for the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.
Et ob prastantiam terrae, et ob plenitudinem ejus: et beneplacitum habitatoris rubi veniat super caput Joseph, et super ver…
jfbDeuteronomy 33:22: "And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan."
- Dan is a lion's whelp—His proper settlement in the south of Canaan being too small, he by a sudden and successful irruption, established a colony in the northern extremity of the land. This might well be described as the leap of a young lion from the hills of Bashan.
The tribe of Dan is compared to a young lion ("whelp") that leaps from Bashan, highlighting their fierce, predatory nature and the sudden, powerful actions they would take, especially as they migrated north to settle new territory. This imagery suggests a tribe known for its strength and decisive, even aggressive, moves, mirroring the predatory instincts of a young lion emerging from its lair.
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death, a powerful prophetic testament to their future. After blessing several tribes with specific promises, he turns to Dan, comparing the tribe to a young lion. This imagery foreshadows their future strength and aggressive actions, particularly their eventual migration to and conquest of Laish in the north, a daring leap from their ancestral lands near Bashan.
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death, a powerful prophetic testament to their future. After blessing several tribes with specific promises, he turns to Dan, comparing the tribe to a young lion. This imagery foreshadows their future strength and aggressive actions, particularly their eventual migration to and conquest of Laish in the north, a daring leap from their ancestral lands near Bashan.
"And of Dan he said,
“Dan is a lion’s cub
that leaps from Bashan.”" — The tribe of Dan is compared to a young lion ("whelp") that leaps from Bashan, highlighting their fierce, predatory nature and the sudden, powerful actions they would take, especially as they migrate…
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Last reviewed October 2026