The Walls Of Dan, Israel

by David Padfield

 

When Lot had been taken captive, Abraham and 318 of his servants pursued him as far as the city of Dan (Gen. 14:14). The Canaanite city of Laish had existed on this site more than 5,000 years ago. Joshua had led his troops through this area and sometime after Israel captured this city the name was changed to Dan, and it became the northernmost city in nation of Israel.

The city of Dan is probably best remembered because of the golden calf that King Jeroboam I set up. A second golden calf was set up in Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-31).

Archaeologists have uncovered one of the largest and best preserved city gates in all of Palestine at this site, along with a 9th century paved plaza that was probably the town center. A small altar from the ninth or tenth century B.C. was also found here.