The city of Dan was, practically speaking, the northernmost city of Israel in the Old Testament. When the writers of Scripture wanted to speak of all Israel (from north to south), they would say “from Dan to Beersheba”.
Biblical Significance
Genesis 14:13-16Abram traveled from Hebron to Dan to rescue his nephew Lot from Kedorlaomer.
Judges 18 The tribe of Dan was not satisfied with its allotted inheritance near Judah and so settled here, both giving its name to the region and setting up idolatrous worship that plagued Israel throughout its history.
1 Kings 12:26-33 Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship.
Jeremiah 4:15; 8:15-16 The city of Dan symbolized the northern edge of the land, the “gateway” through which Judah’s enemies would pass on their way to Jerusalem.
