"And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: and she called his name Dan."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Dan Meaning in the Bible
Dan
boy
Dan means "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Dan appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 30:6 is the passage most often tied to it. Dan — 'judge' — carried the calling to establish justice but often wielded his gifts through cunning rather than integrity. His story warns that spiritual gifts without spiritual discipline lead to compromise.
Is Dan in the Bible?
Yes — Dan appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:6.
Pronunciation:/DAN/
OriginHebrew
MeaningJudge; He has judged; Vindicated
What does Dan mean?
Dan is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated". Dan means "judge" or "he has vindicated" in Hebrew. He was the fifth son of Jacob and the first son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Rachel named him Dan, declaring: "God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son."
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What does Dan mean in the Bible?
Dan means "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Dan means "judge" or "he has vindicated" in Hebrew. He was the fifth son of Jacob and the first son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Rachel named him Dan, declaring: "God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son."
Jacob's blessing over Dan was brief but profound: "Dan 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." This mixed prophecy portrays both Dan's judicial role and a more troubling characteristic of cunning, ambush-style warfare.
The most famous Danite was Samson, the legendary judge whose supernatural strength and tragic weaknesses made him one of Scripture's most complex figures. The tribe also eventually migrated north and conquered Laish, renaming it Dan — establishing a city that would later become a center of unauthorized worship.
Dan's story is one of great potential and mixed results — a tribe that produced a mighty judge but also strayed from faithful worship.
Where does Dan appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Dan is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 30:6. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Dan?
Dan has 3 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Dan?
Dan is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Dan?
Dan — 'judge' — carried the calling to establish justice but often wielded his gifts through cunning rather than integrity. His story warns that spiritual gifts without spiritual discipline lead to compromise.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Dan:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
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God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
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Judges 5:31 Commentary
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Word Meaning
Judge (שָׁפַט (shaphat))
One who governs, delivers, and vindicates — upholding justice and righteousness.
What names are related to Dan?
Names like Dan
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Dan
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Dan
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Dan name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Dan appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:6.
Dan means "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 30:6, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Dan comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Judge; He has judged; Vindicated." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:6.
Common questions about the name Dan
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Dan?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Dan?
You can read every verse where Dan appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.