Genesis 49:17

Your descendants will be like snakes at the side of a road, like poisonous snakes lying beside a path. They will strike the heels of horses that pass by, causing the riders to fall backwards as the horses rear up on their hind legs.”

Translation for Translators

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

16Dan, although your tribe will be small, their leaders will rule their people just like the leaders of other tribes of Israel will rule their people.

18Then Jacob prayed, “Yahweh, I am waiting for you to rescue me from my enemies.”

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Judges 16:22But his hair started to grow again.

1 Chronicles 12:35There were 28,600 soldiers from the tribe of Dan, all trained to fight battles.

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