The most numerous of the tribes, next to Judah, in each census taken during the Exodus (see Num. 1 and 26). Though holding the important position of commander of the rear guard during the march from Egypt, Dan was the last to receive his inheritance.

His lot fell in the southern part of Canaan between Judah on the east and the land of the Philistines on the west, bordered by Ephraim on the north and Simeon on the south.

The author does not describe the lot of Dan by its borders, but mentions only the cities that were in it. Some of these cities were at first given to Judah, but Judah’s share being too large, some were given to the Danites as others were to the Simeonites.