D

Dan

Dan in the Bible — fifth-born son of Jacob (GEN 30:5), son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Dan belonged to the tribe of Dan. Referenced in 22 scripture passages.

Name meaning: judgment; he that judges

Profile

Gender
male
Tribe
Dan
Scripture References
22 references
Known Names
1 name
Relationships
21 connections

Biography

The first son born to Jacob through Rachel's handmaid Bilhah, Dan's name means 'judge' or 'he has vindicated.' Rachel considered his birth a vindication from God. Dan became the father of the tribe that would later be associated with idolatry but also produced the judge Samson.

Significance

The tribe of Dan later struggled with idolatry and is notably absent from the 144,000 in Revelation, yet produced mighty deliverers like Samson.

Key Events

Birth to Jacob through Bilhah(Genesis 30:5-6)
Traveled to Egypt with family(Genesis 46:23)

Names & Labels (1)

Danproper name
Hebrew
דָּֽן
Transliteration
dan
Meaning
judge
Greek
Δαν
Reference
GEN 30:6
Strong's
H1835

Family & Relationships (21)

son

Jacob(GEN 30:6)
Bilhah(GEN 30:6)

half-brother

Reuben(GEN 30:6)
Simeon(GEN 30:6)
Levi(GEN 30:6)
Judah(GEN 30:6)
Gad(GEN 30:11)
Asher(GEN 30:13)
Issachar(GEN 30:18)
Zebulun(GEN 30:19)
Dinah(GEN 30:21)
Joseph(GEN 30:23)
Benjamin(GEN 35:17)

brother

Naphtali(GEN 30:7)

father

Hushim(GEN 46:23)

ancestor

Ahisamach(EXO 31:6)
Dibri(LEV 24:11)
Ammishaddai(NUM 1:12)
Gemalli(NUM 13:12)
Jogli(NUM 34:22)
Jeroham(1CH 27:22)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dan in the Bible?

Dan is described in the Bible as fifth-born son of Jacob (GEN 30:5), son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Dan belonged to the tribe of Dan.

What does the name Dan mean?

The name Dan means “judgment; he that judges” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.

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