Genesis 49:17

Genesis 49:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse's heels so that his rider falls backward.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of Genesis 49:17

15And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a slave at forced labour. 16Dan 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. 18I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. 19Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

Genesis 49:17 word by word

יְהִי־דָן֙ נָחָ֣שׁ עֲלֵי־דֶ֔רֶךְ שְׁפִיפֹ֖ן עֲלֵי־אֹ֑רַח הַנֹּשֵׁךְ֙ עִקְּבֵי־ס֔וּס וַיִּפֹּ֥ל רֹכְב֖וֹ אָחֽוֹר׃Read the interlinear

• Danדָּןdân · DanH1835
• serpentנָחָשׁnâchâsh · serpentH5175
• wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
• adderשְׁפִיפֹןshephîyphôn · horned viperH8207
• pathאֹ֫רַח'ôrach · wayH734
• bitethנָשַׁךְnâshak · to biteH5391
• horseסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• heelsעָקֵב‛âqêb ‛iqqebâh · heelH6119
• riderרָכַבrâkab · to rideH7392
• fallנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
• backwardאָחוֹר'âchôr 'âchôr · backH268

Cross-references for Genesis 49:17

• Judges 14:1And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
• Judges 16:22However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.
• Judges 18:22And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
• 1 Chronicles 12:35And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

Commentaries on Genesis 49:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Dan shall be a serpent - The original word is נחש nachash, and we have seen on Genesis 3 that this has a great variety of significations. It is probable that a serpent is here intended, but of what kind we know not; yet as the principal reference in the text is to guile, cunning, etc., the same creature may be intended as in Genesis 3. A cerastes upon the track - The word שפיפון shephiphon, which is nowhere else to be found in the Bible, is thus…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-33Verses 1-33 - Jacob Blesses His Sons 5. מכרה mekêrāh “weapon;” related: כיר kārar or כרה kārāh dig. “Device, design?” related: מכר mākar “sell,” in Arabic “take counsel. Habitation.” 10. מחקק mechoqēq “lawgiver, judge, dispenser of laws.” This word occurs in six other places - Numbers 21:18; Deuteronomy 33:21; Jud. Deuteronomy 5:14; Psalm 60:9; Psalm 108:9; Isaiah 33:22; in five of which it clearly denotes ruler, or judge. The meaning “sceptre” is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 Concerning Zebulun: if prophecy says, Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, be sure Providence will so plant him. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot, and to improve it; if Zebulun dwell at the heaven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships. Concerning Issachar: he saw that the land was pleasant, yielding not only pleasant prospects, but pleasant fruits to recompense his…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17Dan (meaning "judge") was meant to bring justice. But the tribe chose betrayal, like a snake by the road, striking in a dangerous and unexpected way (see Judges 18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1817. Dan--"a judge." a serpent ... an adder--A serpent, an adder, implies subtlety and stratagem; such was pre-eminently the character of Samson, the most illustrious of its judges.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 49:17

• Adder
• Dan
• Death
• Jacob
• Parents
• Serpent

In the dictionaries

• Dan
• Adder
• Bless
• Blood
• Devour
• Fierce
• Raven
• Rouse
• Serpent
• Shoot

Commentaries on Genesis 49

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings