Dodanim
“Leaders (derivation uncertain)”
Summary
A people descended from Javan son of Japheth, probably to be identified with the inhabitants of Rhodes or the Dardanians of ancient Troy.
☩Biblical Reference
Dodanim appears in the Table of Nations as one of four sons of Javan, placing them among the descendants of Japheth who populated the Greek and Mediterranean regions. The parallel passage in Chronicles reads 'Rodanim,' and this variation appears also in the ancient versions. Since the Hebrew letters daleth and resh are easily confused, scholars debate which represents the original reading.
☩Identification
If Rodanim is correct, the reference is clearly to Rhodes, the large island in the eastern Mediterranean whose inhabitants were prominent traders in ancient times. If Dodanim is original, they may be identified with the Dardanians—a semi-Pelasgic people found in Illyricum and Troy. The Septuagint translates 'Rhodioi' (Rhodians), supporting the Rhodes identification. The ancient city of Dodona in Epirus has also been suggested.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dodanim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Dodanim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Dodanim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).