Lekh Lekha | 'VaYirdof ad Dan': The "Dan" Problem

From KMTT - the Torah Podcast by KMTT.

• Published: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:28:00 +0000
• Duration: 58:53
• Books: Genesis
• Parsha: Lech Lecha
• Audio: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/LekhLekha5787_RYEtshalom.mp3?dest-id=12657
• Page: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/LekhLekha5787_RYEtshalom.mp3
• TorahApp: https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_kmtt/e/fba1dcec-acaa-4116-aa28-6e755a13e5e4

Lekh Lekha | 'VaYirdof ad Dan': The "Dan" Problem, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

How can Avraham be described as chasing the kings "to Dan"? Isn't that a double-anachronism? 

This lecture explores the geographical mystery of Avraham chasing the four kings "to Dan" in Parashat Lekh Lekha, despite Dan being the name of Avraham's great-grandson. Rabbi Etshalom analyzes various traditional and critical approaches to this anachronism, including the possibility of later editorial naming or the existence of an ancient location by that name. Ultimately, the shiur proposes that the northern territory near Banias was historically recognized as "Dan" as part of a pre-Egyptian tribal settlement scheme, which explains the nomenclature used in the Torah.