Judges 18:29
New International Version
They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish.

New Living Translation
They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor, Israel’s son, but it had originally been called Laish.

English Standard Version
And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first.

Berean Standard Bible
They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city was formerly named Laish.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel. However, the name of the city formerly was Laish.

New American Standard Bible
And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born to Israel; however, the name of the city was previously Laish.

NASB 1995
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish.

NASB 1977
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish.

Amplified Bible
They named the city Dan, after Dan their forefather who was born to Israel (Jacob); however, the original name of the city was Laish.

Christian Standard Bible
They named the city Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel. The city was formerly named Laish.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They named the city Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel. The city was formerly named Laish.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But they named it Dan, after one of Israel's sons, who was the ancestor of their tribe.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They named the city Dan in honor of their ancestor Dan, Israel's son. Originally, the city was called Laish.

Good News Translation
They changed its name from Laish to Dan, after their ancestor Dan, the son of Jacob.

International Standard Version
They renamed the city Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan, who had been born in Israel. The former name of the city was Laish.

Majority Standard Bible
They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel?though the city was formerly named Laish.

NET Bible
They named it Dan after their ancestor, who was one of Israel's sons. But the city's name used to be Laish.

New Heart English Bible
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel. However the name of the city was originally Laish.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel: but the name of the city was Laish at the first.

World English Bible
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and call the name of the city Dan, by the name of their father Dan, who was born to Israel; and yet Laish [is] the name of the city at the first.

Young's Literal Translation
and call the name of the city Dan, by the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; and yet Laish is the name of the city at the first.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will call the name of the city, Dan, in the name of Dan their father, who will be born to Israel. And yet Laish the name of the city at first.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Calling the name of the city Dan after the name of their father, who was the son of Israel, which before was called Lais.

Catholic Public Domain Version
calling the name of the city Dan, according to the name of their father, who had been born of Israel, though before it was called Laish.

New American Bible
They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel. But Laish was the name of the city formerly.

New Revised Standard Version
They named the city Dan, after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was formerly Laish.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at first.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they called the name of the city Dan, for the name of Dan their father who was begotten by Israel, however Luz was the name of the city from former time
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; and the name of the city was Ulamais before.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Danites Take Micah's Idols
28There was no one to deliver them, because the city was far from Sidon and had no alliance with anyone; it was in a valley near Beth-rehob. And the Danites rebuilt the city and lived there. 29They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel— though the city was formerly named Laish. 30The Danites set up idols for themselves, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.…

Cross References
Joshua 19:47
(Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.)

Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

2 Samuel 24:25
And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then the LORD answered the prayers on behalf of the land, and the plague upon Israel was halted.

1 Kings 12:29-30
One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.

2 Kings 10:29
but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

Amos 8:14
Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria and say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the way of Beersheba lives’—they will fall, never to rise again.”

Revelation 7:4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: / From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, / from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, ...

Genesis 49:16-17
Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. / He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

Deuteronomy 33:22
Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

1 Chronicles 12:35
From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.

Ezekiel 48:1-2
“Now these are the names of the tribes: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion bordering the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath and running on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus with Hamath to the north, and extending from the east side to the west side. / Asher will have one portion bordering the territory of Dan from east to west.

Matthew 10:5-6
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. / Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

John 4:9
“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Acts 26:7
the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.

Romans 11:1
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.


Treasury of Scripture

And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel: however, the name of the city was Laish at the first.

Dan

Judges 20:1
Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

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.

who was

Genesis 30:6
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

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Ancestor Born City Dan Howbeit However Israel Laish Used
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Ancestor Born City Dan Howbeit However Israel Laish Used
Judges 18
1. The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance
3. At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged
7. They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope
11. Six hundred men are sent to surprise it
16. In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things
27. They win Laish, and call it Dan
30. They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood.














They named it Dan
The act of naming in the ancient Near Eastern context was significant, often reflecting ownership, authority, or a new beginning. The tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, sought to establish their identity and claim over the land by renaming the city. This act of renaming signifies a transformation and a new chapter for the people of Dan. In Hebrew, "Dan" means "judge," which is fitting as the tribe sought to establish justice and order in their new territory.

after their forefather Dan
Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the firstborn of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, holds a place of importance in the tribal history of Israel. By naming the city after their forefather, the Danites were not only honoring their lineage but also reinforcing their connection to the promises given to the patriarchs. This reflects a deep sense of identity and continuity with the past, emphasizing the importance of heritage and legacy in the biblical narrative.

who was born to Israel
The use of "Israel" here refers to Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28). This highlights the covenant relationship between God and the descendants of Jacob. By mentioning that Dan was born to Israel, the text underscores the divine promise and blessing that extends to the tribe of Dan as part of the chosen people. It serves as a reminder of their place within the larger narrative of God's plan for Israel.

though the city was formerly named Laish
Laish was an ancient city known for its peaceful and prosperous existence, located in the northern part of Canaan. The mention of its former name, Laish, provides historical context and highlights the transformation that took place. Archaeological evidence suggests that Laish was a well-fortified city, which the Danites conquered and renamed. This change of name from Laish to Dan signifies not only a physical conquest but also a spiritual and cultural shift as the Danites sought to establish their presence and influence in the region.

(29) They called the name of the city Dan.--Just as the Messenians changed the name Zankle into Messene.

Verse 29. - Howbeit Laish was the name, etc. The strange form here given in the Septuagint, Oulamais, arises from their having taken the Hebrew word for howbeit (oulam) as part of the name, and left out the L of Laish (see ver. 7, note).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They named
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ (way·yiq·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

[it]
הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

Dan,
דָּ֔ן (dān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1835: Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel

after
בְּשֵׁם֙ (bə·šêm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

their forefather
אֲבִיהֶ֔ם (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

Dan,
דָּ֣ן (dān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1835: Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

was born
יוּלַּ֖ד (yūl·laḏ)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

to Israel—
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (lə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

though
וְאוּלָ֛ם (wə·’ū·lām)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 199: However, on the contrary

the city
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

was formerly
לָרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ (lā·ri·šō·nāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

named
שֵׁם־ (šêm-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

Laish.
לַ֥יִשׁ (la·yiš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3919: Laish -- 'lion', a city and region in northern Canaan


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OT History: Judges 18:29 They called the name of the city (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 18:28
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