Location
Overview
The city of Dan, originally the Canaanite Laish (Leshem), lay at the far north of the land by the springs of the Jordan. It gave Israel its proverbial limit, "from Dan even to Beersheba."
The Danite migration
Unable to hold their allotted territory, the tribe of Dan sent spies who found Laish, a quiet and unsuspecting people. The Danites struck the city, burned it, "and called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father" (Judges 18:27–29).
A shrine of idols
The migrating Danites set up a carved image and a priesthood at Dan, and "the children of Dan set up the graven image" that remained "all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh" (Judges 18:30–31).
Jeroboam's golden calf
After the kingdom split, Jeroboam placed one of his two golden calves at Dan: "behold thy gods, O Israel" (1 Kings 12:28–29), making the city a byword for false worship.
Events Here
The Danites conquer Laish and rename it Dan
Jeroboam sets up a golden calf at Dan
Scripture References
7 versesJudges4 verses
Judges 18:7
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. magistrate: Heb. possessor, or, heir of restraint
Judges 18:14
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
Judges 18:27
And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
Judges 18:29
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 25:44
But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.
2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 3:15
And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
Isaiah1 verse
Isaiah 10:30
Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. Lift: Heb. Cry shrill with
Archaeology & History
Tel Dan, at the foot of Mount Hermon, preserves a Canaanite mud-brick gate, a large Israelite high place, and — famously — the "Tel Dan Stele," an Aramaic inscription referring to the "House of David," the earliest extra-biblical mention of David's dynasty. Its abundant springs feed the Jordan.
People who appear here
Objects mentioned here
Frequently asked about Dan (Laish)
Where is Dan (Laish) today?
Today, Dan (Laish) corresponds to Tel Dan, Israel.
What does the name Dan (Laish) mean?
The name Dan (Laish) means “Judge”.
What happened at Dan (Laish) in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Dan (Laish) include the danites conquer laish and rename it dan; jeroboam sets up a golden calf at dan.
Where is Dan (Laish) first mentioned in the Bible?
Dan (Laish) is first mentioned in Judges 18:7.
How often is Dan (Laish) mentioned in the Bible?
Dan (Laish) is mentioned in 7 verses across 4 books: Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Isaiah.
What was Dan called before?
Laish (also Leshem). The migrating tribe of Dan captured it and renamed it Dan after their ancestor.
Why is Dan associated with idolatry?
The Danites set up a graven image and priesthood there, and later King Jeroboam placed one of his golden calves at Dan, making it a centre of false worship in the northern kingdom.