Deuteronomy 33 22

Deuteronomy 33:22 kjv

And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

Deuteronomy 33:22 nkjv

And of Dan he said: "Dan is a lion's whelp; He shall leap from Bashan."

Deuteronomy 33:22 niv

About Dan he said: "Dan is a lion's cub, springing out of Bashan."

Deuteronomy 33:22 esv

And of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's cub that leaps from Bashan."

Deuteronomy 33:22 nlt

Moses said this about the tribe of Dan: "Dan is a lion's cub,
leaping out from Bashan."

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 22 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:22 proclaims a powerful and active destiny for the tribe of Dan. Likening Dan to a "lion's cub," the verse highlights their inherent strength, potential for ferocious aggression, and youthful vigor. The imagery of "leaping out of Bashan" signifies a swift, sudden, and forceful emergence or expansion, evoking a predatory animal launching itself from a fertile and wild, formidable region. This poetic prophecy foretells their military prowess and strategic, often unexpected, conquests.

Deuteronomy 33 22 Context

Deuteronomy 33:22 is a verse within Moses' prophetic blessing to the twelve tribes of Israel. This discourse occurs just prior to Moses' death and the Israelites' imminent entry into the Promised Land. Similar to Jacob's patriarchal blessings in Genesis 49, Moses' words here are a poetic and divinely inspired declaration, foretelling the distinct characteristics, future roles, and contributions of each tribe as they would settle in Canaan. The historical setting is one of anticipation, as the nation stands on the threshold of conquering and inheriting their land, with Moses' blessings providing both encouragement and prophetic insight into their varied destinies within the covenant.

Deuteronomy 33 22 Word analysis

• Of Dan (דָּן, Dan): Refers to the tribe descending from Dan, Jacob's fifth son (Gen 30:6). The name "Dan" means "He judged" (from the root din), referencing Jacob's prophecy that Dan "shall judge his people" (Gen 49:16). While known for ingenuity, the tribe of Dan's later history also records its distinct migration and eventual establishment of an idolatrous cult center (Judg 18, 1 Ki 12:29).
• he said (וַיֹּאמַר, vayomer): This standard Hebrew verb introduces direct speech, indicating Moses' authoritative utterance of the blessing.
• Dan is a lion's cub (דָּן גּוּר אַרְיֵה, Dan gur aryeh):
  • lion's cub (גּוּר אַרְיֵה, gur aryeh): The lion is a pervasive biblical symbol for strength, ferocity, nobility, and dominion (e.g., Judah's blessing in Gen 49:9). "Cub" (or "whelp") specifically points to youthfulness and potent, developing strength, signifying explosive potential rather than merely established power. It conveys a sense of dangerous agility and the ability for a swift, overwhelming attack, full of latent might that is ready to be unleashed.
• leaping out (יְזַנֵּק, yezannek): This verb is highly active and dramatic. It describes a sudden, dynamic motion—to spring forth, pounce, bound, or dart forward. This indicates a proactive, often aggressive, and rapid movement, akin to a predator launching an ambush or an unprovoked attack. It denotes unexpected and decisive action.
• of Bashan (מִבָּשָׁן, miBashan):
  • Bashan: A remarkably fertile region located east of the Jordan River, renowned for its rich pastures, strong livestock (Ps 22:12), massive oak trees (Eze 27:6), and wild, powerful animals including lions.
  • The phrase "leaping out of Bashan" carries multiple layers of meaning:
    1. Strength and Origin: It implies a powerful emergence from a region itself associated with great strength and wild ferocity, as if drawing its very nature from such formidable grounds.
    2. Sudden Appearance: Similar to a predatory animal suddenly bursting from thickets or a den within a wild region, highlighting an unforeseen and rapid manifestation of power.
    3. Metaphorical Prowess: Not necessarily Dan's specific territory, but a symbolic reference to a mighty place from which Dan's strength or exploits might metaphorically originate or be directed. It foretells Dan’s fierce military spirit, reminiscent of a powerful animal attacking from a strong, natural vantage point.

Deuteronomy 33 22 Bonus section

• Fulfillment and Deviation: While this blessing emphasizes Dan's formidable military strength and effective conquest, particularly seen in Judges 18, the same narrative recounts their lapse into idolatry after settling Laish. This illustrates the distinction between physical prowess and spiritual faithfulness; the power blessed upon them could be used for territorial gain but not always for fidelity to the covenant.
• Parallel with Samson: Samson, a famous Danite judge, concretely embodies the "lion's cub" and "leaping" imagery. His individual acts of strength against the Philistines often involved him single-handedly overpowering enemies, paralleling the fierce, pouncing action of a lion cub against its prey, especially when "the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him" (Judg 14:6, 19).
• Evolution from Jacob's Blessing: Moses' blessing on Dan here is a powerful amplification of Jacob's earlier blessing (Gen 49:16-17), which described Dan as a cunning "serpent" that "bites the horse's heels." While both imply stealth and a sudden, effective strike, Moses' "lion's cub, leaping out" suggests a more overt, powerful, and majestic, albeit still sudden, military impact, transitioning from covert venom to overt might.

Deuteronomy 33 22 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:22 masterfully employs animal imagery to prophesy the distinctive character of the tribe of Dan. Moses' blessing portrays Dan not as a docile group, but as a potent, active force – a "lion's cub." This choice of animal conveys latent power, the fierce spirit of a predator, and explosive, untamed potential. The subsequent description of "leaping out" vividly depicts their proactive and swift movements, a sudden springing forth that often characterizes an ambush or a decisive attack. The geographical reference to "Bashan," a region famous for its fertile wildness and strong beasts, reinforces this imagery. It suggests that Dan's strength would be akin to that found in untamed nature – powerful, unyielding, and ready to emerge from a place of significant natural endowment or potential, possibly indicating a formidable impact on surrounding regions or an aggressive seizing of territory. Historically, this prophecy finds striking fulfillment in the account of the Danites' migration and conquest of Laish in Judges 18, where they unexpectedly "leaped" forth from their initial, cramped inheritance to seize new territory in the far north with surprising force and predatory precision, demonstrating their divinely-foretold aggressive and resourceful spirit.