But Why Not Dan?

Off and on for the last several weeks I have listened to sermons by Dr. Joel Mullenix, of the Pensacola Campus Church, on the TV program Rejoice in the Lord. My wife and I have listened to the music part of Rejoice every Sunday evening for a few years, but until Dr. Mullenix began bringing the message, we would tune out when the preaching started. Now, more often than not, we stay through the hour.

A couple of weeks ago Dr, Mullenix was preaching from the book of Revelation. We he came to the 144,000, he explained, almost as an aside, these saints were 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel. Chapter 7, verse 4 does, in fact, say this. Not quite though. Let's see:


(Note: emphasis mine in all cases.)

Rev 7:1-10
1 And after thes things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.


4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
KJV

So, no Dan. But, as well as Joseph, is Manasses (or Manasseh) the other tribe of Joseph along with Ephraim. Maybe this is not surprising, that is, Joseph getting a double portion as he had the birthright (I Chron 5:2). Even so, why not Dan?

I've heard people say Dan's idolatry was worse than any of the other tribes and for that reason they had disqualified themselves. But idolatry became rife in both Israel and Judah. How can one pick out one tribe?

Isa 10:10-11
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
KJV

Israel's prophecy in Genesis 49 concerning his sons in the last days speaks very cryptically of Dan, but doesn't seem particularly bad.

Gen 49:16-18
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

18 I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
KJV

Could Manasses merely be a copyist's error somewhere down the flow of time and should have been Dan? Unlikely.

Does anyone have an answer for this little Bible mystery? I'm really curious.

I believe I'll email Dr. Mullenix. Perhaps he has some ideas.