Genesis 49:17 — Meaning and Application

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. {an adder: Heb. an arrow-snake}”

Genesis 49:17

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

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.

Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

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. {an adder: Heb. an arrow-snake}

I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

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Genesis 49:1

"And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you {that} which shall befall you in the last days."

Genesis 49:2

"Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father."

Genesis 49:3

"Reuben, thou {art} my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:"

Genesis 49:4

"Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou {it}: he went up to my couch. {thou shalt...: Heb. do not thou excel} {he went...: or, my couch is gone}"

Genesis 49:5

"Simeon and Levi {are} brethren; instruments of cruelty {are in} their habitations. {instruments...: or, their swords are weapons of violence}"

Genesis 49:6

"O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. {digged...: or, houghed oxen}"

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