SYMBOLS OF TWELVE TRIBES: DAN

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Symbols Of Twelve Tribes

a) The Symbols of the Tribes are often depicted in Synagogues. The Book of Numbers tells us that each Tribe had its characteristic symbol used in its encampment.

Numbers 2:2 

2 “Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. 

2. Dan

a) Dan is depicted by a pair of scales representing judgement which is a connotation of the name "Dan" (Genesis 49:16).

Genesis 49:16-18 
16 “Dan shall judge his people
As one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse’s heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!

b) Dan is also sometimes shown by a serpent (Genesis 49:17), or even a dragon, or as a ship, "And why did Dan stay in ships?" (Judges 5:17)