Genesis 49:17

Dan’s tribe will be smart, just like a clever snake. They will wait for their enemies, like a snake hiding beside the road. They will attack their enemies, and they will win against those enemies, like a snake that bites a horse’s leg, so that the man on the horse will fall down.”

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

16Then Jacob said, “Dan’s tribe will have their own bosses, just like all the other tribes of the Israel nation. Those bosses from Dan’s tribe, they will be good and fair to the people.

18Then Jacob said, “God, I am waiting for you to save us.”

Read all of Genesis 49

Matthew Henry on Genesis 49:14-22

13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. 14 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: 15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. 16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 17 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. 18 I… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 49:17