Kejadian 49:17

49:17 May Dan be a snake beside the road,

a viper by the path,

that bites the heels of the horse

so that its rider falls backward. ¹ 

Yosua 19:47

19:47 (The Danites failed to conquer their territory, ²  so they went up and fought with Leshem and captured it. They put the sword to it, took possession of it, and lived in it. They renamed it ³  Dan after their ancestor. ⁴ )

[49:17]  ¹ sn The comparison of the tribe of Dan to a venomous serpent is meant to say that Dan, though small, would be potent, gaining victory through its skill and shrewdness. Jewish commentators have linked the image in part with Samson. That link at least illustrates the point: Though a minority tribe, Dan would gain the upper hand over others.

[19:47]  ² tn Heb “the territory of the sons of Dan went out from them.”

[19:47]  ³ tn Heb “Leshem.” The pronoun (“it”) has replaced the name “Leshem” in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[19:47]  ⁴ tn Heb “according to the name of their father.”