Where is Dan?

Q: Was Samson and Judas from the tribe of Dan? Is it mentioned in Revelation? If [not] mentioned, why not? Thanks.

A: Thanks for your questions. It does not appear that scripture mentions anything about Judas being from the tribe of Dan. However, Samson was from the tribe of Dan. Judges 13:2 says, "A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless." Manoah was the father of Samson. The only other time Samson is mentioned by name is in Hebrews 11. There Samson is commended for his faith as he is listed amongst other great Bible heroes. "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets (Hebrews 11:32)." Judas, on the other hand, is known for his betrayal of Jesus Christ. He is only mentioned by name in the Gospels and Acts 1, but his actions are referenced in Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.

The Tribe of Dan is not mentioned in the book of Revelation. As for the reason why they are not mentioned, we would have to defer to God on that question. Some suggest that the Tribe of Dan is not mentioned because they may have struggled with the sin of idolatry (ref. Judges 18:14-26). Others mention the Tribe of Dan's lack of support of Israel at times (ref. Judges 5:17). May I suggest you go to God in prayer and see if He gives you an answer to your inquiry. Revelation, as spelled out in the first chapter, is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place (Revelation 1:1)." Jesus Christ is not only the subject of the Book of Revelation, but the entire Bible. The question I would ask you is, "Why is the tribe of Dan, Samson and Judas, important to you?" Besides focusing on the tribe of Dan and the affiliation Samson and Judas may have to it, look at the example that they are to us as Christians.

One common thread in the Bible that is shared with Samson, Judas and the tribe of Dan is that they were subject to the temptations of the flesh and fell into sin. We talked about the Tribe of Dan struggling with idolatry and lack of support of Israel. For Samson, it was giving up the secret of his strength. The Angel of the Lord told Samson's mother that "no razor shall come upon his head (Judges 13:5)." Yet, when Samson was with Delilah, he allowed her nagging to deceive him into giving up the secret of his strength. "So he told her all that was in his heart and said to her, "A razor has never come on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me and I will become weak and be like any other man (Judges 16:17)." Giving up his secret eventually led to his destruction. Judas fell pray to a temptation all of us would struggle with, the lure of money. Judas said to the chief priests, "What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him (Matthew 26:15)." His betrayal of "innocent blood (Matthew 27:4)" caused him so much remorse that he eventually took his own life.

Take heart in the struggles of Samson, Judas and the Tribe of Dan. Just like them, we fall prey to sin, but our sins never separate us from God because of our faith in Jesus Christ. It is a comfort to know that God can still work in and through us despite our human frailties and shortcomings. Referring to God, the Apostle Paul said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me (2 Corinthians 12:9)." When we struggle, our focus turns to the Lord in hopes of discovering why we were weak and what we can learn about Him in the midst of our struggle. That keeps the focus and the glory on Him and off of us, as it should be. And keep in mind that the reason Jesus took away our sins from the eyes of God for eternity was to allow us the ability to approach God with confidence to experience His love, comfort and guidance without any fear of condemnation, discipline or punishment. Most Christians do not trace our lineage to the Tribe of Dan, but we are listed in the book of Revelation with in the pages of the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5). Grace and Peace.