Genesis 49:17 Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

◄ Genesis 49:17 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

English Standard Version
Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that his rider falls backward.

New American Standard Bible
"Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That bites the horse's heels, So that his rider falls backward.

King James Bible
Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horses' heels so that its rider falls backward.

International Standard Version
Dan will be a snake on the path, a viper on the road that snaps at the heels of horses, causing their riders to fall off.

American Standard Version
Dan shall be a serpent in the way, An adder in the path, That biteth the horse's heels, So that his rider falleth backward.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let Dan be a snake in the way, a serpent in the path, that biteth the horse's heels that his rider may fall backward.

Darby Bible Translation
Dan will be a serpent on the way, A horned snake on the path, Which biteth the horse's heels, So that the rider falleth backwards.

Young's Literal Translation
Dan is a serpent by the way, An adder by the path, Which is biting the horse's heels, And its rider falleth backward.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

49:13-18 Concerning Zebulun: if prophecy says, Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, be sure Providence will so plant him. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot, and to improve it; if Zebulun dwell at the heaven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships. Concerning Issachar: he saw that the land was pleasant, yielding not only pleasant prospects, but pleasant fruits to recompense his toils. Let us, with an eye of faith, see the heavenly rest to be good, and that land of promise to be pleasant; this will make our present services easy. Dan should, by art, and policy, and surprise, gain advantages against his enemies, like a serpent biting the heel of the traveller. Jacob, almost spent, and ready to faint, relieves himself with those words, I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord! The salvation he waited for was Christ, the promised Seed; now that he was going to be gathered to his people, he breathes after Him to whom the gathering of the people shall be. He declared plainly that he sought heaven, the better country, Heb 11:13,14. Now he is going to enjoy the salvation, he comforts himself that he had waited for the salvation. Christ, as our way to heaven, is to be waited on; and heaven, as our rest in Christ, is to be waited for. It is the comfort of a dying saint thus to have waited for the salvation of the Lord; for then he shall have what he has been waiting for.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. Dan—"a judge."

a serpent … an adder—A serpent, an adder, implies subtlety and stratagem; such was pre-eminently the character of Samson, the most illustrious of its judges.