Gen 49:17, Jer 8:16, Amo 8:14 | JFB | STEP | 17. 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.

‏ Genesis 49:17

Ge 49:16-18. Dan--though the son of a secondary wife, was to be "as one of the tribes of Israel."

17. 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.

‏ Jeremiah 8:16

16. his horses--the Chaldean's.

was heard--the prophetical past for the future.

from Dan--bordering on Phoenicia. This was to be Nebuchadnezzar's route in invading Israel; the cavalry in advance of the infantry would scour the country.

strong ones--a poetical phrase for steeds, peculiar to Jeremiah (Jr 47:3; compare Jr 4:13, 29; 6:23).

‏ Amos 8:14

14. swear by the sin of Samaria--namely, the calves (De 9:21; Ho 4:15). "Swear by" means to worship (Psa 63:11).

The manner--that is, as "the way" is used (Psa 139:24; Ac 9:2), the mode of worship.

Thy god, O Dan--the other golden calf at Dan (1Ki 22:26-30).

liveth ... liveth--rather, "May thy god ... live ... may the manner ... live." Or, "As (surely as) thy god, O Dan, liveth." This is their formula when they swear; not "May Jehovah live!" or, "As Jehovah liveth!"