King James Version

What Does Joshua 19:47 Mean?

Joshua 19:47 in the King James Version says “And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight agains... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

45

And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,

46

And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho. before: or, over against Japho: or, Joppa

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.

48

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

49

When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them—The tragedy: Dan found their inheritance insufficient. Rather than trust God and fight, 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. They conquered Leshem (also called Laish), dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

This explains Dan's abandonment of their God-given land for self-chosen territory. Judges 18 details their violence, theft of Micah's idol, and establishment of apostate worship. When God's provision seems 'too little,' human solutions lead to spiritual disaster. Contentment and faith must govern ambition (Philippians 4:11-13).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Laish/Leshem lay in Upper Galilee near Mount Hermon, far north of Dan's original allotment. Judges 18 describes the Danite migration circa 1200 BC. Dan became Israel's northernmost city, giving rise to the phrase 'from Dan to Beersheba.' Their idolatrous shrine corrupted northern Israel for centuries.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you deemed God's provision 'too little' and pursued self-directed solutions with tragic results?
  2. How does discontent with God's assignment lead to spiritual compromise and idolatry?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥א1 of 27

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

גְבוּל2 of 27

And the coast

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

בְנֵי3 of 27

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָּ֥ן4 of 27

Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

מֵהֶ֑ם5 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ6 of 27

went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בְנֵי7 of 27

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָּ֥ן8 of 27

Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

וַיִּלָּֽחֲמ֨וּ9 of 27

to fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם10 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לְלֶ֙שֶׁם֙11 of 27

Leshem

H3959

leshem, a place in palestine

וַיִּלְכְּד֥וּ12 of 27

and took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

אוֹתָ֣הּ׀13 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיַּכּ֧וּ14 of 27

it and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אוֹתָ֣הּ15 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְפִי16 of 27

it with the edge

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חֶ֗רֶב17 of 27

of the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַיִּֽרְשׁ֤וּ18 of 27

and possessed

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אוֹתָהּ֙19 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ20 of 27

it and dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָ֔הּ21 of 27
H0
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ22 of 27

therein and called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְלֶ֙שֶׁם֙23 of 27

Leshem

H3959

leshem, a place in palestine

דָּ֥ן24 of 27

Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

כְּשֵׁ֖ם25 of 27

after the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

דָּ֥ן26 of 27

Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

אֲבִיהֶֽם׃27 of 27

their father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 19:47 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 19:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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