מַחֲנֵה־דָן

מַחֲנֵה־דָן

Machaneh-Dan, a place in Palestine

Definition

Machaneh-Dan (מַחֲנֵה־דָן) is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Israel, meaning 'camp of Dan.' It is mentioned only once in the Old Testament in Judges 18:12, where it describes a place near Kiriath-jearim in Judah where the tribe of Dan encamped during their migration northward. This site served as a temporary military camp or staging ground for the Danites before they launched their conquest of the peaceful city of Laish, which they later renamed Dan (Judges 18:27-29). The name thus commemorates a pivotal encampment in the narrative of the Danite tribe's relocation and expansion.

Biblical Usage

This term is used exclusively in Judges 18:12 within the Old Testament. It appears in the narrative context of the Danites' search for new territory, as they journey from their original allotment to conquer Laish. The usage is geographical and historical, pinpointing a specific campsite associated with a tribal migration and military campaign. No other biblical books reference this location, making its usage unique to this single event in the book of Judges.

Etymology

The name is a compound Hebrew phrase derived from מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264), meaning 'camp, encampment,' and דָּן (Dân, H1835), the name of the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Literally, it means 'camp of Dan.' This construction follows a common Hebrew pattern for place names that describe an action or characteristic of a person or group, similar to names like 'Bethel' (house of God).

Semantic Range

While the term itself is primarily geographical, its single occurrence in Judges 18:12 is theologically significant within the larger narrative of the book of Judges. It marks a location tied to the Danites' disobedience and autonomous conquest, illustrating the tribal fragmentation and moral decline during the period when 'everyone did what was right in his own eyes' (Judges 17:6, 21:25). The 'camp of Dan' becomes a launching point for an act of violence and idolatry (Judges 18:30-31), symbolizing how Israel strayed from covenantal loyalty. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting the contrast between God's intended tribal settlements and the chaotic, self-directed actions that characterized the era. In its original context, a 'camp' (machaneh) was a temporary, often fortified, settlement for a traveling group, especially a military force or migrating tribe. The naming of a location as 'camp of Dan' would have immediately communicated to ancient Israelites a story of tribal movement and martial preparation. This differs from a modern understanding of a permanent city or town. The name preserves a memory of the Danites' journey, reflecting an oral or written tradition of tribal history and territorial claims during the settlement period in Canaan. מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — The generic term for 'camp' or 'encampment,' without the specific tribal association. דָּן (Dân, H1835) — The name of the tribe itself, or the city of Dan, not the encampment site.

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