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 19:47KJVWhat does Joshua 19:47 mean?
Joshua 19:47 describes how the tribe of Dan found that the land originally assigned to them was too small, so they went north, fought against the city of Leshem, captured it by force, settled there, and renamed the city Dan after their ancestor. This verse explains a key moment when the Danites expanded their territory beyond what was first given to them.
The book of Joshua is recounting how the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. Here, the focus is on the tribe of Dan, who struggled to settle in their allotted area, likely due to pressure from neighboring peoples. The verse notes their decision to seek new territory, their military action against Leshem, and the renaming of the city, which ties their identity to their forefather Dan.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 19:47
- "coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means "border" or "territory," highlighting that the Danites' assigned land was too limited for their needs.
- "smote" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means "to strike" or "to defeat," emphasizing that the capture of Leshem was achieved through force, not peaceful settlement.
- "possessed" (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word means "to take possession" or "to inherit," underlining that the Danites took full control of Leshem, making it their own.
- "called" (קָרָא, qara): This means "to name" or "to proclaim," showing the importance of renaming Leshem to Dan, which established a lasting connection to their tribal identity.
Why Joshua 19:47 matters
- Joshua 19:47 clarifies that not all tribes were able to settle easily in the land assigned to them, showing the practical challenges the Israelites faced even after the conquest.
- The verse connects to the later story in Judges 18, where the tribe of Dan's migration and conquest of Leshem (also called Laish) is described in more detail, providing important background for later biblical events.
- By noting the renaming of Leshem to Dan, the verse explains the origin of the city of Dan, which becomes a significant location in Israel's history, especially in the stories of the divided kingdom and idolatry.