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Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1967 | July 1
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Questions From Readers
● The Bible account at Judges 18:27-29 says that a certain place was not named “Dan” until the Danites went up and took it. How is it, then, that the Bible book of Genesis speaks of the place as being called “Dan” in Abraham’s time?
This city in the well-watered region in the extreme north of Palestine, prior to its capture by the tribe of Dan, was called Leshem or Laish by the pagan inhabitants. (Josh. 19:47; Judg. 18:7, 27-29) The Danites rebuilt the destroyed city and called it “Dan by the name of their father, Dan.” However, the city is mentioned some four centuries earlier by the name of “Dan” in the account of Abraham’s pursuit of Chedorlaomer and his allies all the way “up to Dan.” (Gen. 14:14) It is possible that this use of the name “Dan” at that early date may relate to the name of the river that has its source just below the city and which is known as Nahr el-Leddan.
Jerome, historian and Bible translator (Comm. in Matt. xiv, 13), was of the opinion that the name of the Jordan River derived from the river’s having two sources, one named Jor and the other Dan, resulting in the united streams’ being called “Jordan,” which name was in use in Abraham’s day. (Gen. 13:10) At any rate, there is nothing to argue against the existence of this name Dan as applying to the indicated area in the time of Abraham. The correspondence of this early name to that of the forefather of the tribe of Dan may have been coincidental or even divinely directed.—Compare the example of Salem at Genesis 14:18 and Hebrews 7:2.
The name “Dan” again appears in the Pentateuch at Deuteronomy 34:1, where it is included among the extremities of the territory seen by Moses in his final view of the Promised Land. The use of the name “Dan” here could correspond to its usage in the case of Abraham or could be the result of Joshua’s recording the final portion of the book, which includes events following Moses’ death.
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AnnouncementsThe Watchtower—1967 | July 1
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Announcements
FIELD MINISTRY
Over nineteen hundred years ago Jesus Christ said: “Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.” (Matt. 4:4) These words are as applicable today as when they were first spoken. Jehovah’s Christian witnesses know this and so they realize that, to be spiritually nourished, it is important not to neglect the house of the true God. Regularly each week their meetings build them up spiritually and equip them to witness to others about God. During July, as they apply this training, they will be sharing with others one of the fine Bible-study aids that they use in their own congregation meetings. They will offer to all persons the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, with a booklet, for only 50c.
WHAT GOVERNS YOUR RELATIONS WITH OTHERS?
The ability to win friends and influence people is the desire and ambition of many sincere persons. Is it yours? Do you take into consideration with it how your efforts along these lines please God? Our relationship with others should concern us, but so should the principles that God has laid down in his Word, the Bible, to govern these relations. What Bible principles are involved in a happy marriage? How do they affect our choice of employment, our attitude toward political activities in the community and conflicts between nations? Read the hardbound book of 416 pages, Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God. Sent at once, for only 50c. Write today and receive free the timely booklet When God Is King over All the Earth.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS
July 23: Developing and Displaying Self-Control, ¶1-23. Page 393. Songs to Be Used: 85, 75.
July 30: Developing and Displaying Self-Control, ¶24-26, and Self-Control Vital to Progress. Page 398. Songs to Be Used: 73, 94.
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