Parshat Bamidbar4 min read

Why Dan Marched Behind Naphtali and Not Alone

Dan was prone to idolatry and placed at the rear of the camp. The tribes beside them were not chosen at random to fill a gap in the formation.

Curated by Arthur · Told by Maggid ·
Table of Contents
  1. The Camp That Was Also a Therapy
  2. What Dan Carried That the Sages Recorded
  3. Who Was Placed Beside Dan
  4. What Eliasaph and Gad Added

The Camp That Was Also a Therapy

When God arranged the Israelite camp in the wilderness, the placement looked like military organization: four great banners, three tribes to each banner, compass points assigned, marching order fixed. It was orderly. It was also something else.

The rabbis who studied the groupings could not accept that the assignments were purely tactical. Twelve tribes, four banners, and every pairing deliberate. Some tribes were placed beside others because their proximity would be strengthening. And the rear banner, the last standard to leave camp and the last to arrive, was a specific kind of arrangement. The tribe at its center needed its neighbors.

What Dan Carried That the Sages Recorded

Dan was the problem tribe of the rear banner. The tradition was plain about this. Even before leaving Egypt, Dan had harbored idolatrous instincts, a pull toward making something concrete and visible to stand in for the God who could not be seen or touched or carried in a pocket. This was not a charge leveled against a few individuals. It was described as a tribal disposition, something in Dan's collective character that made the Golden Calf understandable and the later shrines at Bethel and Dan historically predictable.

The tradition also held that from Dan's line would eventually come a figure whose leadership would mislead Israel, a false shepherd who would appear convincing enough to draw people after him. The stone on the High Priest's breastplate for Dan showed an inverted face. The tribe of judges, with a genuine gift for ruling and discernment, had a tendency to apply that gift in the wrong direction.

Dan was not abandoned in the camp. Dan was positioned so that the failure, if it came, would be contained.

Who Was Placed Beside Dan

Asher and Naphtali flanked Dan in the rear banner. Neither placement was accidental. Asher's calling was intercession, the tribe that spoke for the condemned after the sentence had been rendered. Placed beside a tribe prone to drawing others toward transgression, Asher occupied the position of the one who could still make a case for mercy when things had already gone wrong.

Naphtali was the tribe of the swift messenger, the bearer of good news, the deer let loose that could run ahead of any army. Ahira son of Enan, Naphtali's prince at the time of the dedication, carried in his own name the dual character of the tribe: Ahira meant desirable meadow, and Enan meant clouds, the source of rain on that meadow. Naphtali's land was fertile because it received what came down from above. Placed beside Dan, a tribe that looked downward toward the tangible, Naphtali offered the habit of looking up.

What Eliasaph and Gad Added

The broader camp arrangement connected Dan's rear banner to the other standards through a principle the tradition found consistent. Gad marched with the same banner in some configurations, and Gad's prince was named Eliasaph, meaning God multiplied, and his father was Deuel, meaning God is a witness. The tribe of Gad had proven itself at the Jordan, promising to cross and fight even after they had already received land east of the river. They were the tribe that made and kept the commitment when they had no material reason to do so. Their proximity to Dan was therapeutic in the same way Naphtali's was: a tribe that looked upward for confirmation placed beside a tribe that kept looking at the ground.

TribesWildernessTorahRedemptionCovenant
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From the tradition

Sources

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The texts this telling draws on, in full. Open a card to read inline, or expand it for a wider, quieter read.

Legends of the Jews 4:15Legends of the Jews

There's often a deeper meaning, a connection, a story waiting to be uncovered. to one of those pairings and see what we can find.

Its prince was Ahira, a name that means "desirable meadow," and he was the son of Enan, meaning "clouds." Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, points out that the land of Naphtali was known for its exceptional quality. "desirable" produce, abundant water. it all paints a picture of a blessed and fertile region. The Zohar tells us that this abundance was thanks to the plentiful rain brought by the "clouds" – Enan, Ahira's father, almost embodies the source of the tribe's prosperity.

What about the other tribes? Why were they grouped as they were during the census, when the Israelites organized their camps and marches?

The tribes weren't just thrown together. The Torah describes specific arrangements and orders, and according to the sages, there was a reason for it all. Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun formed the first group. Judah, the royal tribe, was linked with Issachar, the tribe of scholars, and Zebulun, which, through its generosity, financially supported Issachar's dedication to Torah study. It's a beautiful picture of kingship, learning, and support all intertwined.

Then came Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. The interesting thing here is Simeon, a tribe known for its past transgressions. But it was "supported," so to speak, by the repentance of Reuben on one side and the strength of Gad on the other. A fascinating image of redemption and balance.

Next, we have Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. These three were destined to bravely confront Amalek, Israel's archetypal enemy. Joshua, from Ephraim, was the first to defeat Amalek. Saul, from Benjamin, followed suit against Agag, king of Amalek. And later, under the leadership of men from Manasseh, the tribe of Simeon finished the job during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. Talk about a united front against adversity!

Now for the final group: Dan, Asher, and our friend Naphtali. This is where it gets particularly interesting. According to Legends of the Jews, the tribe of Dan had, even at the time of the Exodus, harbored the "sinful thought" of creating an idol. A pretty serious accusation! So, how do you counteract such a tendency?

Well, Asher was brought in as its companion. Asher, whose land provided "the oil for lighting." The symbolism is potent – light to dispel darkness, goodness to combat negativity. And then comes Naphtali, "full with the blessing of the Lord," to further uplift Dan. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, the sages believed in the power of association, that surrounding oneself with positive influences could elevate and transform.

It's a powerful reminder that we are all interconnected. These ancient tribal pairings aren't just historical footnotes. They're a evidence of the enduring human need for community, support, and the constant striving towards something better. The stories tell us that even when we falter, even when "dark thoughts" creep in, there's always the potential for light, for blessing, and for redemption.

Full source
Legends of the Jews 4:13Legends of the Jews

They’re often more than just labels; they’re little prophecies, echoes of divine favor, or even warnings. Take the story of the tribe of Gad, for instance.

Their prince was named Eliasaph, which means "God multiplied." Pretty significant name. And his father was Deuel, meaning "God is a witness." Now, what's so important about God multiplying and bearing witness in relation to this particular tribe?

Well, according to rabbinic tradition, it all ties back to their bravery and commitment during the conquest of the Promised Land. Gad, along with Reuben, had already been granted land east of the Jordan River. It was good land, suitable for their cattle. But when the time came to cross the Jordan and fight for the rest of the land, they didn't hesitate. They made a promise to Moses: they would cross over with their brothers and not return to their own property until the promised land was won.

This was a big deal. Imagine having a home, a comfortable life already secured, and choosing to leave it all behind to fight for something bigger. That's what Gad did.

And God, as the name Eliasaph suggests, rewarded them. The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) tells us that because they kept their word and didn't return to their property on the eastern side of the Jordan until the rest of the land was secured, God blessed them immensely.

Upon their return, they found enemies had invaded their territory. But God, as Deuel's name reminds us, was a witness to their faithfulness. God aided them, and they not only reclaimed their land but also gained all the possessions of their enemies! It was a double blessing – a evidence of their unwavering loyalty.

But the story doesn't end there. There's another layer to this tale. After the victory, the tribes of Gad and Reuben built an altar on their side of the Jordan. This caused a great deal of concern among the other tribes, who feared it was a sign of rebellion, a separate cult, a betrayal of their covenant with God.

Were they setting up a rival place of worship? Were they turning their backs on the Tabernacle? Tensions were high.

But Gad and Reuben quickly clarified. The altar, they explained, wasn't for sacrifices. It was a witness, a reminder to future generations that they were still part of the Israelite community, even though they lived on the other side of the river. It was a symbol of unity, not division.

And again, the name Deuel, “God is a witness,” comes into play. God Himself was witness to their intentions, that they had no wicked or treacherous motive in erecting the altar. Their actions, though initially misunderstood, were ultimately born of a desire to maintain their connection to the rest of Israel.

So, the next time you encounter the name Eliasaph or Deuel, remember the story of the tribe of Gad. Remember their commitment, their courage, and the divine favor that followed. Remember that names often carry within them the weight of history and the whispers of God's promises. And remember that sometimes, what looks like division can actually be a evidence of unity.

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