דְּדָן (de.dan)
de.dan
Dedan
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Dedan, meaning "low country," refers to both a geographical region in southern Arabia and several individuals in biblical genealogies. In Genesis, it appears as the son of Raamah (a grandson of Cush) and later as the son of Jokshan (a grandson of Abraham through Keturah). These distinct lineages highlight how the same name was used for different people across generations, linking tribal identities to specific places.
The term also denotes a people group, the Dedanites, who are mentioned in prophetic literature such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 27:15, they are listed among those trading with Tyre, suggesting their role as merchants involved in long-distance commerce. This usage underscores the economic connections between Israel’s neighbors and distant Arabian regions during the biblical period.
Translators typically render Dedan as a proper noun without altering its meaning, preserving its identity as either a person or place. The word itself does not carry theological weight beyond identifying these figures or locations but serves as a reminder of the interconnected world in which ancient Israel existed. Its occurrences span diverse contexts—from family trees to international trade—reflecting the breadth of human history recorded in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Dedan appears in Scripture as both a person and a place, reminding us that God’s story includes many nations beyond Israel. In Genesis, it marks descendants of Cush and of Abraham through Keturah, showing how families spread across the ancient world. These genealogies are not just lists; they show that God’s presence extends to all peoples, even those far from Jerusalem.
Later, prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel mention Dedan as a trading partner or a people facing judgment. This highlights that no nation is outside God’s care or accountability. For believers today, this word connects us to a larger human family, urging humility and awareness of our shared history under God’s sovereign plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dedan4×
- and/ Dedan3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/דְדָֽן\׃\ \ס2×
- דְּדָ֑ן2×
- וּ/דְדָֽן\׃1×
- דְּדָ֤ן1×
- דְדָ֔ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:7
The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan.
This verse places Dedan in the lineage of Cush, linking Arabian tribes to early genealogies and showing how ancient identities were recorded.
-
Genesis 25:3
Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
Here Dedan is listed among Abraham’s descendants through Keturah, illustrating the spread of his family beyond Sarah’s line.
-
Jeremiah 49:8
Flee! Turn back! Dwell in the depths, inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau on him when I visit him.
This call to flee from Dedan shows that even distant nations are subject to God’s judgment and care.