Laish
“Lion”
Summary
A name referring to two distinct persons and places in Scripture: an ancient Sidonian city in the far north of Palestine later conquered by Dan, and a Benjamite whose son received David's wife Michal.
☩The City of Laish
Laish was a city in the far north of Palestine, apparently colonized by Sidonians who lived in prosperous security, 'quiet and secure' with no one to put them to shame in anything (Judges 18:7). The city was isolated from other Sidonian settlements, having no alliance with anyone, which left it vulnerable to conquest. When the tribe of Dan failed to secure their assigned territory in the south, 600 armed Danites migrated northward and captured Laish, burning it and rebuilding it under the name Dan. The city appears as 'Leshem' in Joshua 19:47. Isaiah mentions 'Laishah' in his description of the Assyrian advance toward Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:30), though this may refer to a different location near Jerusalem.
☩Laish the Benjamite
Laish was a native of Gallim and the father of Palti (or Paltiel), to whom Saul gave Michal, David's wife, after David became a fugitive. When David became king over all Israel, he demanded Michal's return from Paltiel, who followed her weeping until Abner ordered him back (2 Samuel 3:15). The coincidence of 'Laish' and 'Gallim' appearing together both in this narrative and in Isaiah 10:30 has been noted by commentators.
Related Verses7 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Laish," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Laish," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Laish (1)," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).