Keraia
Deuteronomy 33

Deuteronomy 33:22

Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes · Deuteronomy 33:1–29
Read Deuteronomy 33

Translations

Modern
Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”
Traditional
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
Literal
And of Dan he said, “Dan is a whelp of a lion; He shall leap from Bashan.”
Latin
Dan quoque ait: Dan catulus leonis, fluet largiter de Basan.

Original

Hebrew
English
Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

Notes

Deuteronomy 33:22

Dan was the older of two sons born to Jacob by Rachel’s servant Bilhah (Genesis 30:5–6). His name means “he judged.”

The tribe of Dan first received land between Judah and the Mediterranean Sea (Joshua 19:40–48). However, the people who already lived there strongly opposed them. Because of this, the tribe of Dan could not settle in that area.

Later, the tribe moved far to the north. They attacked the people living in Laish, destroyed the city, and settled there. This new land was near Mount Hermon, north of the Sea of Galilee, and next to Bashan (Judges 18:27–28).

The Bible does not clearly say where Dan gathered its army before attacking Laish. However, the phrase leaping out of Bashan may suggest that the attack began from Bashan (see Genesis 49:16–17).

Deuteronomy 33:1–29

On the day before he died, Jacob blessed his 12 sons (Genesis 49:1–28). Many years later, Moses also blessed these same sons. By that time, they had become large and powerful tribes. Moses, like Jacob, spoke as a founding father of the nation.

Places

Bashan: Region east of the Jordan, known for its fertility Dan: Israelite tribe; city in northern Israel; originally called Laish/Leshem

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Jeshurun Moses Poetry, Biblical Song of Moses Tribe of Dan

Topics

Death: Scenes of Death of Moses The Lion: Active the Tribe of Dan: Predictions Respecting The Tribes of Israel: Predictions Respecting Each of Tribe of Dan: Blessed by Moses