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The Tribe of Dan has always appeared to biblical scholars and archaeologists as something of an enigma. For decades, certain scholars, beginning with Yigael Yadin, have proposed a connection between the Denyen/Danaoi Sea People and the Danites of Ancient Israel, arguing that the former became the latter and were adopted into Israel at a later date than the other 11 tribes. Focusing on recent archaeological excavations at Tel Dan and the connections between Samson and Hercules, with special attention specifically given to Dan's traditional paired imagery with serpents, this study seeks to present a coherent case for the possibility that Yadin's theory may soon carry weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the mizrāq, a ritual vessel described in the Hebrew Bible, is best identified with the shallow metal drinking-offering bowls typical across the ancient Near East from the second millennium B.C. on. It is further proposed that a specific vessel discovered at Tel Dan may in fact be a certain type of mizrāq intended for use at a courtyard altar. Attention is given to the biblical descriptions in light of archaeological and iconographic parallels. The significance of this identification for an understanding of the Danite cult in its Iron LIB context is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article first examines in detail the story of Judges xvii-xviii, suggesting that it is a post-Dtr eomposition, written for an educated audience in the post-exilic period. It ridicules and criticizes not only the cult, priests and cult centres of the Northern Kingdom, but also their founder, Jeroboam I. Indeed, some of the characteristics of the story's main protagonist, Micah, were borrowed from the history of Jeroboam as related in the Book of Kings. Second, the article analyzes the similarity between the description of the Danite migration northward and a Greek story that describes the foundation of Massalia by the Phocaeans (Strabo, Geography IV 1,4). It is suggested that eertain outlines of the story of Judges xviii might have been borrowed from a Greek legend that the author had heard and adapted to his purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an archaeological examination of Zorah and Eshtaol, the two places closely associated with the Danite tradition. History of the settlement at Zorah and the surrounding area; History of the settlement at Eshtaol; Relationship between Zorah and Beth-Shemesh in its historical and geographic context.

The article discusses the connection between the stories of the idol Micah and the concubine of Gibeah in "The Book of Judges." It says that in the story of Micah, when the Danites stole the idol, conquered a city, and set up a temple, the Israelis did not attack them. It states that in the story of Gibeah, the concubine was raped and murdered, causing a civil war between Israel and Benjamin's tribe. It suggests that the stories are interconnected and form the sin and punishment story.