Numbers 1:39
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
Original Language Analysis
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
H6485
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 8
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמַטֵּ֣ה
of them even of the tribe
H4294
לְמַטֵּ֣ה
of them even of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
2 of 8
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
דָ֑ן
of Dan
H1835
דָ֑ן
of Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
3 of 8
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 8
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
Dan's large size and military strength enabled successful migration northward and conquest of Laish (Judges 18:27-29), yet this very success led to establishing idolatrous worship that would corrupt northern Israel. Dan's tribal identity eventually faded from significance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Dan's large size paired with spiritual failure warn against trusting in gifts and resources rather than faithfulness to God?
- What does this teach us about the danger that strength and success can become snares if not accompanied by spiritual vitality?
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Analysis & Commentary
Dan's 62,700 fighting men made it one of the larger tribes, second only to Judah at this census. This military strength, however, did not guarantee spiritual faithfulness. The tribe's size actually enabled their later apostasy by providing resources to establish a rival worship center at Dan (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12:29). This demonstrates that gifts, talents, and resources become curses rather than blessings when deployed in rebellion against God. Spiritual faithfulness, not worldly strength, determines usefulness to God.