Joshua 19:47
When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The original Hebrew actually says the border "went out from them," not "too little." This subtle shift reveals that Dan didn't just receive a small territory; they were pushed out of parts of their inheritance by others, forcing them to seek new lands and conquer Leshem. This highlights the ongoing struggle for possession of the land, even after Joshua's victories, and shows the tribe's initiative to secure their future.
The tribe of Dan received its inheritance, but their assigned territory proved insufficient for their growing population and was also pressured by hostile neighbors like the Amorites. This led them to seek new land, prompting an expedition northward where they discovered and conquered the city of Leshem, renaming it Dan after their ancestor and establishing it as their new home. This conquest, though detailed here, actually occurred after Joshua's death and is more fully described in the book of Judges.
Imagine looking at the map of your promised land, only to find your designated spot isn't quite what you expected. This is the surprising reality for the tribe of Dan.
The tribe of Dan received a portion of the land in the initial division, but it quickly became clear that it wasn't sufficient for them. The original Hebrew text suggests their border "went out from them," implying they lost territory, possibly due to the lingering presence of the Amorites (Judges 1:34). This forced them to actively seek out more land, rather than passively receive it.
A Call to Action
This situation wasn't a sign of God's failure, but a catalyst for the Danites' initiative. They didn't complain or give up; instead, they sent out scouts to find a new place to live. This proactive approach is a powerful reminder that sometimes, God calls us to step out and secure what we need, trusting in His guidance.
The Danites didn't just find new land; they conquered it and left their mark, literally renaming it to honor their ancestor.
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After their scouts found the unsuspecting city of Leshem, the Danites launched a military campaign. They "fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it." This wasn't just about survival; it was about conquest and establishment.
A New Identity
The most striking act was renaming Leshem to "Dan." This renaming signifies more than just a change of address; it's about claiming ownership, establishing a legacy, and asserting their identity in their new home. It echoes the biblical pattern of significant places and people being renamed to reflect a new reality or divine purpose. This act also solidified their presence in the northernmost part of the land, eventually leading to the common phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" to describe the full extent of Israel.
This verse highlights a critical period after Joshua's death where the tribe of Dan, finding their allotted land insufficient, took matters into their own hands to secure territory, ultimately expanding Israel's northern boundary and establishing a new city named after their ancestor.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelite tribes conquered the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. This period involved significant military campaigns and the distribution of land to the twelve tribes.
After Joshua's death
Amorites push Danites into mountains
The Amorites, who were not fully driven out by the Israelites, began to reassert control, pushing the tribe of Dan out of their allotted territory in the plains and into the hill country.
After Joshua's death— this verse
Danite expedition to Leshem
Facing a restricted inheritance, the Danites sent spies who discovered the city of Leshem, a peaceful and vulnerable Canaanite settlement in the north. The Danites then launched a military campaign to capture it.
After Joshua's death
Danites rename Leshem to Dan
After conquering Leshem, the Danites took possession of the city and its surrounding land, renaming it Dan in honor of their ancestor, thus extending their territory to the northernmost part of the land.
Period of the Judges
Expression 'From Dan to Beersheba'
Following the conquest and renaming of Leshem, the phrase 'from Dan to Beersheba' became a common way to refer to the full extent of the land of Israel, from its northernmost to its southernmost borders.
This passage provides a more detailed account of the Danites' conquest of Leshem, explaining the circumstances that led them to seek new territory and the steps they took.
Judges 1:34This verse highlights the pressure the Amorites put on the Danites, forcing them into the mountains and making their originally assigned territory insufficient, which directly led to their quest for Leshem.
Genesis 14:14This verse mentions Dan as a location in the north, showing that the name and territory existed long before the tribe of Dan conquered the city of Leshem and renamed it.
Matthew 16:13Jesus' reference to the region of Caesarea Philippi, which was built upon the site of ancient Dan (Leshem), shows the enduring significance of this northernmost boundary of Israel.
gillJoshua 19:47: "And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father."
And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them,.... Being a very numerous tribe, the cities allotted them were not sufficient for them; or rather, leaving out the supplement "too litt…
bensonJoshua 19:47: "And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father."
Joshua 19:47 . The coast of Dan went out too little — The words too little are not in the Hebrew, where there is nothing that corresponds with them. The passage runs thus: The coast of the children of D…
The original Hebrew actually says the border "went out from them," not "too little." This subtle shift reveals that Dan didn't just receive a small territory; they were pushed out of parts of their inheritance by others, forcing them to seek new lands and conquer Leshem. This highlights the ongoing struggle for possession of the land, even after Joshua's victories, and shows the tribe's initiative to secure their future.
The tribe of Dan received its inheritance, but their assigned territory proved insufficient for their growing population and was also pressured by hostile neighbors like the Amorites. This led them to seek new land, prompting an expedition northward where they discovered and conquered the city of Leshem, renaming it Dan after their ancestor and establishing it as their new home. This conquest, though detailed here, actually occurred after Joshua's death and is more fully described in the book of Judges.
The tribe of Dan received its inheritance, but their assigned territory proved insufficient for their growing population and was also pressured by hostile neighbors like the Amorites. This led them to seek new land, prompting an expedition northward where they discovered and conquered the city of Leshem, renaming it Dan after their ancestor and establishing it as their new home. This conquest, though detailed here, actually occurred after Joshua's death and is more fully described in the book of Judges.
"When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after t…" — The original Hebrew actually says the border "went out from them," not "too little." This subtle shift reveals that Dan didn't just receive a small territory; they were pushed out of parts of their…
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