Joshua 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
גְבוּל
And the coast
H1366
גְבוּל
And the coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
בְנֵי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דָּ֥ן
Dan
H1835
דָּ֥ן
Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
4 of 27
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
went up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְנֵי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דָּ֥ן
Dan
H1835
דָּ֥ן
Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
8 of 27
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַיִּלְכְּד֥וּ
and took
H3920
וַיִּלְכְּד֥וּ
and took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
12 of 27
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אוֹתָ֣הּ׀
H853
אוֹתָ֣הּ׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיַּכּ֧וּ
it and smote
H5221
וַיַּכּ֧וּ
it and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
14 of 27
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אוֹתָ֣הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֣הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְפִי
it with the edge
H6310
לְפִי
it with the edge
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
16 of 27
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
חֶ֗רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חֶ֗רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
17 of 27
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַיִּֽרְשׁ֤וּ
and possessed
H3423
וַיִּֽרְשׁ֤וּ
and possessed
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
18 of 27
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
אוֹתָהּ֙
H853
אוֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ
it and dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ
it and dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ
therein and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ
therein and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
22 of 27
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דָּ֥ן
Dan
H1835
דָּ֥ן
Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
24 of 27
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
כְּשֵׁ֖ם
after the name
H8034
כְּשֵׁ֖ם
after the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
25 of 27
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you deemed God's provision 'too little' and pursued self-directed solutions with tragic results?
- How does discontent with God's assignment lead to spiritual compromise and idolatry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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).