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Posts Tagged ‘Abraham's gate’

Tel Dan – the ancient gate of La’ish

Posted in Israel, tagged , , , on June 3, 2024| 2 Comments »

In Tel Dan, the rocks do tell tales. 

The name of Dan before the tribe of Dan took over the town was Laish (La’ish). The Bible describes the people of Dan brutally defeating the people of Laish and burning the town to the ground and then building their own town on the same spot. See Judges 18:7.

As it says in Joshua 19:40-48, the tribe of Dan was originally assigned lands adjacent to the Philistines, along the southern coast of Israel. The Philistines were a constant source of battles and oppression. In Judges chapter 18, we find the tribe of Dan searching for anew home. If you have studied through the book of Judges, you may remember the things that Samson did to his enemies the Philistines, namely burning their fields, killing them in battle, and destroying their temple with them in it. As one might expect, this did not make the Philistines big fans of the Israelites, leaving the tribe of Dan in a very precarious position. This likely influenced their decision to relocate to the north of Israel. The abundance of water and fertility of the area was probably not bad either.

Going Deeper: Tel Dan
1. Who was Dan? (Hint: Genesis 30:1-6)

2. What do you learn about the City called Dan from Genesis 14:14?

3. What land was originally given to Dan in the conquest according to Joshua 19:40-48?

Read Judges 18 relating to the relocation of the Tribe of Dan to the North

 

Head waters of the Jordan (from Mt Hermon and several springs in the area)
Dan in the Spring.
Judges and Elders of the City would often sit in the city gate and conduct business or city affairs.

Gate preserved to the ancient town of La’ish. It is possible that through such a gate the patriarch Abraham may have passed as he searched for Lot.

City gate
City Gate of La’ish (Tel Dan)

It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page. 

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Tel Dan

Posted in Israel, tagged , , on September 21, 2020|

      One of the farthest points you can travel in modern Israel is Dan. As you make your way north from Jerusalem or the Sea of Galilee to Tel Dan, the border with Lebanon is within sight. Conflict along this border has continued for many years. Hezbollah, which was designated a Foreign Terror Organization by the U.S. State Department, is a terrorist organization backed by money and resources from Iran which does not believe in the legitimacy of Israel, and seeks its total destruction. When you visit the area, you will see that Israel’s enemies are very close to her, and it is only through diligence that Israel is able to keep the enemies at bay.
      Dan and the surrounding area has many natural springs. One of three springs that feeds the Jordan is located near the ancient city of Dan (Tel Dan). It is a beautiful area all year round with lush greenery, trees, and rushing water.
      The city of Dan was formerly called Laish or Leshem. The Bible describes the people of Dan brutally defeating the people of Laish and burning the town to the ground and then building their own town on the same spot (Judges 18:7) The city is mentioned approximately twenty-four times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and it was typically the first city to be lost to invaders from the north because of its location very close to the northern border.

Dan
Dan
Location of the golden calf – place of false worship. The metal frame is meant to give you an idea of how big the altar would have been.
The seat of the chief elder of the town at the gate of the city.
Close up of the gate – dating from approximately 1750 BC. (the time of Abraham)
“Abraham’s Gate” at Tel Dan

You can visit our website or email us for more on upcoming trips to Israel. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page. 

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