About three hours north of Yerushalayim, toward the peak of the Golan Heights, lies the beautiful nature reserve of Tel Dan. Walking along the breathtaking streams of the Dan River, which are flowing with water year-round, one can really exclaim with awe “מה רבו מעשיך ה!” But there is much more to Tel Dan than gorgeous scenery. Archaeology uncovered in Tel Dan brings us back to the beginning of our nation.
The Dan Stream is one of the 3 streams that feed into the Jordan River. It meets up with the Hermon and Snir (otherwise known as Banias and Hetzbani) where together, they become the Jordan River. The source of these streams is the rain and snow that melts into Mount Hermon, which then emerges at its base as separate streams. Nature lovers will have a blast exploring this exquisite reserve, but it also tells a story that takes us back in time.
The area is known as “Tel Dan,” yet, we know that the portion which the tribe of Dan received is West of Jerusalem, beneath the tribe of Ephraim. Why are we talking about Dan all the way out here in the Golan Heights?
Sefer Shoftim teaches us that the tribe of Dan was looking to expand. They sent out explorers who traveled all the way north to the serene town of Layish. They “fell in love with it,” and proceeded to conquer Layish which they renamed “Dan.” On the way, we learn of the difficult story of Pesel Michah (Shoftim 18). This is how a portion of the Golan Heights became inhabited by the tribe of Dan.
However, this is actually not the first time we hear of the city of Dan in the Torah. Parshat Lech Lecha describes the battle between the four kings and the five kings. Lot is taken captive and Avraham runs to rescue him … all the way to Dan!
“וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם כִּ֥י נִשְׁבָּ֖ה אָחִ֑יו וַיָּ֨רֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָ֜יו יְלִידֵ֣י בֵית֗וֹ שְׁמֹנָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף עַד־דָּֽן׃”“When Abram heard that his kinsman’s (household) had been taken captive, he mustered his retainers,* (Meaning of Hebrew “ḥanikh” — uncertain) born into his household, numbering 300 and 18, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” (Bereishit 14:14 from Sefaria.org)
The Torah uses the more modern name “Dan” even though the original name of the city in the time of Avraham Avinu was “Layish.” Incredibly, an ancient city gate, dating to the Canaanite era was discovered in Tel Dan. This could very well have been the city gate that Avraham Avinu encountered on his way to rescue Lot!
If we take a look at Rashi:
”עד דן. שָׁם תָּשַׁשׁ כֹּחוֹ, שֶׁרָאָה שֶׁעֲתִידִין בָּנָיו לְהַעֲמִיד שָׁם עֵגֶל (סנה’ צ”ו):““As far as Dan — There his strength failed him for he saw prophetically that at some future time his descendants would there erect a calf (Sanhedrin 96a).” (Sefaria Rashi Bereishit 14:14)
We see that Avraham Avinu, on his way to rescue Lot, foresaw a calamity that would occur here at Dan. Avraham Avinu foresaw the calves that Yeravam ben Navat (king of the Israelite kingdom at the time of the divided monarchy) would place here in attempt to prevent his subjects from the kingdom of Israel from going to the Beit Hamikdash, which was under the jurisdiction of the kingdom of Judah.
A cultic site was also found here in Tel Dan which dates to the time of Yeruvam Ben Navat. The huge altar was reconstructed here, so visitors can get a sense of its tremendous size.
Perhaps, it was here that Yeravam ben Nevat led the Jewish people astray.
Not far from the city gates from the time of Avraham Avinu, the city gates from the time of malchut Yisrael were discovered as well. This was a double gate with rooms in between, where many important city affairs took place. Perhaps, the most incredible find is what was discovered at the entrance to the city by Professor Avraham Biran in 1933. An ancient victory stella, probably written by Hazael — the King of Aram — in ancient Hebrew, describes his victory over Achazya ben Yohoram, King of the House of David and Yehoram Ben Achav, King of Israel. This discovery matches perfectly with the words of Divrei Hayamim.
”וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹרָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה… “…וַיֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ אֶת־יְהוֹרָ֨ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֜ב מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה עַל־חֲזָאֵ֥ל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם בְּרָמ֣וֹת גִּלְעָ֑ד וַיַּכּ֥וּ הָרַמִּ֖ים אֶת־יוֹרָֽם׃“Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, reigned as King of Judah…Moreover, he followed their counsel and marched with Jehoram, son of King Ahab of Israel, to battle against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, where the Arameans wounded Joram.” (Sefaria Divrei Hayamim B:22, as cited in Biblical Archeology by Rabbi Zamir Cohen)
What makes this find even more incredible is that this is the first extra-biblical source that mentions a king from the house of David! Our Torah has been passed down for many generations. Yet, when an almost 3000 year old remains attest to the truth of our Torah, we can’t help but be inspired!
I wonder if this is another way to understand the verse from Tehillim:
“אֱ֭מֶת מֵאֶ֣רֶץ תִּצְמָ֑ח”“Truth springs up from the earth.” (Sefaria Tehillim 85)
What we have known to be true for thousands of years is now evident from archeological research!
Hava Preil is an enthusiastic Licensed Israeli Tour Guide. She grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and holds an MA in Judaic Studies. Hava has developed and taught accredited courses in Tanach and Jewish Ethics for Naaleh/Woodmont College and Cybersem. She currently lives in Givat Ze’ev, Israel, with her family. Hava can be reached at IL:054-844-1579, USA: 845-391-0438 or at [email protected].
