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"description": "\n\n\n\nThere were some early Christian writers and saints who actually believed that the Antichrist was a Danite, meaning that he would arise from the tribe of Dan. Some even thought that there would be third temple built, in which the Antichrist would enter and take his seat as God.\n\n\n\nIn this post I cite two early fathers that held to this view. All emphasis will be mine.\n\n\n\n\nIrenaeus\n\n\n\n\nChapter 25\n\n\n\nThe fraud, pride, and tyrannical kingdom of Antichrist, as described by Daniel and Paul.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n",
"path": "/dan-the-tribe-of-antichrist/",
"publishedAt": "2026-03-07T17:17:11.000Z",
"site": "https://answeringislam.blog",
"tags": [
"_Antichrist_",
"_apostate_",
"_God_",
"_devil_",
"i.e., one] in subjection to [_God_",
"_God_, but an impious, [_unjust_",
"_unjust_, and lawless one; as an [_apostate_",
"_apostate_, iniquitous and murderous; as a robber, concentrating in himself [all] satanic [_apostasy_",
"all] satanic [_apostasy_, and setting aside [_idols_",
"_apostasy_, and setting aside [_idols_ to persuade [men] that he himself is [_God_",
"_idols_ to persuade [men] that he himself is [_God_, raising up himself as the only idol, having in himself the multifarious [_errors_",
"men] that he himself is [_God_, raising up himself as the only idol, having in himself the multifarious [_errors_ of the other [_idols_",
"_God_, raising up himself as the only idol, having in himself the multifarious [_errors_ of the other [_idols_. This he does, in order that they who do [now] worship the [_devil_",
"_errors_ of the other [_idols_. This he does, in order that they who do [now] worship the [_devil_ by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, **of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:** _Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of_[ __sin__",
"_idols_. This he does, in order that they who do [now] worship the [_devil_ by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, **of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:** _Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of_[ __sin__ _shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called_[ __God__",
"now] worship the [_devil_ by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, **of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:** _Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of_[ __sin__ _shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called_[ __God__ _, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of_[ __God__",
"_devil_ by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, **of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:** _Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of_[ __sin__ _shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called_[ __God__ _, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of_[ __God__ _, showing himself as if he were God._ The apostle therefore clearly points out his [_apostasy_",
"__sin__ _shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called_[ __God__ _, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of_[ __God__ _, showing himself as if he were God._ The apostle therefore clearly points out his [_apostasy_, and that he is lifted up above all that is called [_God_",
"__God__ _, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of_[ __God__ _, showing himself as if he were God._ The apostle therefore clearly points out his [_apostasy_, and that he is lifted up above all that is called [_God_, or that is worshipped — that is, above every idol — for these are indeed so called by [_men_",
"__God__ _, showing himself as if he were God._ The apostle therefore clearly points out his [_apostasy_, and that he is lifted up above all that is called [_God_, or that is worshipped — that is, above every idol — for these are indeed so called by [_men_, but are not [really] gods; and that he will endeavour in a tyrannical manner to set himself forth as [_God_",
"_true_",
"_apostles_",
"_truly_",
"temple] the enemy shall sit, endeavouring to show himself as Christ, as the Lord also declares: _But when you shall see the_[ __abomination of desolation__",
"__abomination of desolation__ _, which has been spoken of by Daniel the_[ __prophet__",
"__prophet__ _, standing in the_[ __holy__",
"__holy__ _place (let him that reads understand), then let those who are in_[ __Judea__",
"__man__",
"__war__",
"__saints__",
"__God__",
"_Daniel 7:8_",
"__evil deeds__",
"__laws__",
"everything] shall be given into his hand until a time of times and a half time,_ [_Daniel 7:23_",
"** _Apostle Paul_**",
"Epistle] to the Thessalonians, and at the same time proclaiming the**[** _cause_**",
"__wicked__",
"__Lord Jesus__",
"i.e., the_[ __wicked__",
"__wicked__ _one's] is after the working of_[ __Satan__",
"__Satan__ _, in all power, and signs, and portents of lies, and with all deceivableness of_[ __wickedness__",
"__wickedness__ _for those who perish; because they did not receive the_[ __love__",
"__love__ _of the_[ __truth__",
"__truth__ _, that they might be saved. And therefore God will send them the working of_[ __error__",
"__error__ _, that they may_[ __believe__",
"__believe__ _a_[ __lie__",
"__lie__ _; that they all may be judged who did not_[ __believe__",
"__believe__ _the_[ __truth__",
"__truth__ _, but gave consent to iniquity,_ [_2 Thessalonians 2:8_",
"_believe_",
"** _John 5:43_**",
"** _Antichrist_**",
"_unjust_",
"_Luke 18:2_",
"_widow_",
"city], and shall sit in the temple of [ _God_",
"_God_, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. To this purpose Daniel says again: _And he shall desolate the_[ __holy__",
"__holy__ _place; and_[ __sin__",
"__sin__ _has been given for a_[ __sacrifice__",
"__sacrifice__ _, and righteousness been cast away in the earth, and he has been active (fecit), and gone on prosperously._ [ _Daniel 8:12_",
"_Daniel 8:12_ And the [ _angel_",
"_angel_ Gabriel, when explaining his vision, states with regard to this person: _And towards the end of their kingdom a king of a most fierce countenance shall arise, one understanding [dark] questions, and exceedingly powerful, full of wonders; and he shall corrupt, direct, influence (faciet), and put strong men down, the_[ __holy__",
"dark] questions, and exceedingly powerful, full of wonders; and he shall corrupt, direct, influence (faciet), and put strong men down, the_[ __holy__ _people likewise; and his yoke shall be directed as a wreath [round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs._ [ _Daniel 8:23_",
"__holy__ _people likewise; and his yoke shall be directed as a wreath [round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs._ [ _Daniel 8:23_ , etc. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the [ _saints_",
"round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs._ [ _Daniel 8:23_ , etc. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the [ _saints_ shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure [ _sacrifice_",
"_Daniel 8:23_ , etc. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the [ _saints_ shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure [ _sacrifice_ unto God: _And in the midst of the week, he says, the_[ __sacrifice__",
"_saints_ shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure [ _sacrifice_ unto God: _And in the midst of the week, he says, the_[ __sacrifice__ _and the libation shall be taken away, and the_[ __abomination of desolation__",
"_sacrifice_ unto God: _And in the midst of the week, he says, the_[ __sacrifice__ _and the libation shall be taken away, and the_[ __abomination of desolation__ _[shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete._ [ _Daniel 9:27_",
"__sacrifice__ _and the libation shall be taken away, and the_[ __abomination of desolation__ _[shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete._ [ _Daniel 9:27_ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. ([_Adversus haereses_",
"**__Chapter 30__**",
"of the Apocalypse], and those men who saw John face to face bearing their testimony [to it]; while reason also leads us to conclude that the number of the name of the beast, [if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the [value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that [ _apostasy_",
"to it]; while reason also leads us to conclude that the number of the name of the beast, [if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the [value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that [ _apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not [ _know_",
"if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the [value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that [ _apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not [ _know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_",
"value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that [ _apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not [ _know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_",
"expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that [ _apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not [ _know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_",
"_apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not [ _know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_",
"_know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_",
"I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without [ _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_, and to [ _imagine_",
"_evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by [ _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_, and to [ _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_",
"_God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such [ _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_, and to [ _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_",
"_persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into [ _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_, and to [ _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_ under that such a person must necessarily fall. Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who [ _falsely_",
"_error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the [ _truth_, and to [ _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_ under that such a person must necessarily fall. Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who [ _falsely_ presume that they [ _know_",
"_truth_, and to [ _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_ under that such a person must necessarily fall. Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who [ _falsely_ presume that they [ _know_ the name of [ _Antichrist_",
"_imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_ under that such a person must necessarily fall. Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who [ _falsely_ presume that they [ _know_ the name of [ _Antichrist_. For if these men assume one [number], when this [ [ _Antichrist_",
"what really is the state of the case], and go back to the [ _true_",
"_true_ number of the name, that they be not reckoned among [ _false prophets_",
"_false prophets_. But, [ _knowing_",
"_knowing_ the sure number declared by Scripture, that is, six hundred sixty and six, let them await, in the first place, the division of the kingdom into ten; then, in the next place, when these kings are reigning, and beginning to set their affairs in order, and advance their kingdom, [let them learn] to acknowledge that he who shall come claiming the kingdom for himself, and shall terrify those men of whom we have been speaking, having a name containing the aforesaid number, is [ _truly_",
"let them learn] to acknowledge that he who shall come claiming the kingdom for himself, and shall terrify those men of whom we have been speaking, having a name containing the aforesaid number, is [ _truly_ the [ _abomination of desolation_",
"_truly_ the [ _abomination of desolation_. This, too, the apostle affirms: _When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction shall come upon them._ [ _1 Thessalonians 5:3_",
"_abomination of desolation_. This, too, the apostle affirms: _When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction shall come upon them._ [ _1 Thessalonians 5:3_ And Jeremiah does not merely point out his sudden coming, but he even indicates the tribe from which he shall come, where he says, _We shall hear the voice of his swift horses from Dan; the whole earth shall be moved by the voice of the neighing of his galloping horses: he shall also come and devour the earth, and the fullness thereof, the city also, and they that dwell therein._ [ _Jeremiah 8:16_",
"_prophecy_",
"_fear_",
"_zeal_",
"_truth_",
"solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. _Teitan_ too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the [ _idols_",
"of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. _Teitan_ too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the [ _idols_ which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many [ _persons_",
"coincidence]. _Teitan_ too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the [ _idols_ which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many [ _persons_, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed _Titan_ by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he ([_Antichrist_",
"the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the [ _idols_ which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many [ _persons_, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed _Titan_ by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he ([_Antichrist_) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name _Titan_ has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer, that perchance he who is to come shall be called _Titan._ We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of [ _Antichrist_",
"_idols_ which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many [ _persons_, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed _Titan_ by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he ([_Antichrist_) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name _Titan_ has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer, that perchance he who is to come shall be called _Titan._ We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of [ _Antichrist_; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of [ _Domitian's_",
"_Holy Spirit_",
"__Antichrist__",
"_Revelation 17:8_",
"_existence_",
"** _glory_**",
"** _Father_**",
"_Abraham_",
"__Abraham__",
"_Matthew 8:11_",
"_Scriptures_",
"_Moses_",
"_Deuteronomy 33:22_",
"_err_",
"_Saviour_",
"_tribe of Judah_",
"_Genesis 49:17_",
"**_Genesis 3:1_**",
"** _devil_**",
"_prophet_",
"__Israel__",
"_Genesis 49:16_",
"_Samson_",
"_Jeremiah 8:16_",
"_The Antichrist_",
"_Dan, Type of Antichrist._",
"_Num. ii. 25_",
"_Jer. i. 14_",
"_Num. R. ii._",
"**_Gen. xlix. 17_**",
"** _Deut. xxxiii. 22_**",
"** _Belial_**",
"_Jer. viii. 16_",
"the enemy's] horses was heard from Dan\"—a verse referred also in [ _Gen. R. xliii._",
"_Gen. R. xliii._ to Dan's idolatry. **Irenæus remarks that Dan is, in view of this tradition, not in the Apocalypse (Rev. vii. 5-7) among the 144,000 saved ones of the twelve tribes. Nor is the omission of Dan in**[** _I Chron. iv._**",
"** _I Chron. iv._**[**__et seq.__**",
"**__et seq.__****unintentional**. Bousset, who has a special chapter devoted to the Dan Antichrist legend (_l.c._ pp. 112-115), believes that the connection of Dan with Belial in Test. Patr., Dan, 5 points to the same tradition. This seems to find corroboration in Targ. Yer. to Deut. xxxiv. 3, where the war against Ahriman ( )and Gog or Magog in the vision of Moses seems to refer to [ _Dan, 1_",
"_Dan, 1_ (compare Sifre, _l.c._ to ; [ _see also Dan_",
"_see also Dan_, in [ _Ten Tribes, The Lost_",
"**_THE EARLY CHURCH ON CHRIST’S_**",
"** _THOUSAND_**",
"** _YEAR_**",
"** _REIGN_**",
"**_JUSTIN,_**",
"**__RE__**",
"** _SURRECTION & 1,000 YEAR REIGN_**",
"** _EARLY CHURCH ON AGE OF CREATION_**"
],
"textContent": "There were some early Christian writers and saints who actually believed that the Antichrist was a Danite, meaning that he would arise from the tribe of Dan. Some even thought that there would be third temple built, in which the Antichrist would enter and take his seat as God.\n\nIn this post I cite two early fathers that held to this view. All emphasis will be mine.\n\n## Irenaeus\n\n### Chapter 25\n\n**_The fraud, pride, and tyrannical kingdom of Antichrist, as described by Daniel and Paul._**\n\n> 1. And not only by the particulars already mentioned, but also by means of the events which shall occur in the time of _Antichrist_ is it shown that he, being an _apostate_ and a robber, is anxious to be adored as _God_; and that, although a mere slave, he wishes himself to be proclaimed as a king. For he (_Antichrist_) being endued with all the power of the _devil_, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king, i.e., one] in subjection to _God_, but an impious, _unjust_, and lawless one; as an _apostate_, iniquitous and murderous; as a robber, concentrating in himself all] satanic _apostasy_, and setting aside _idols_ to persuade men] that he himself is _God_, raising up himself as the only idol, having in himself the multifarious _errors_ of the other _idols_. This he does, in order that they who do now] worship the _devil_ by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, **of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:** _Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of_ __sin__ _shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called_ __God__ _, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of_ __God__ _, showing himself as if he were God._ The apostle therefore clearly points out his [_apostasy_, and that he is lifted up above all that is called [_God_, or that is worshipped — that is, above every idol — for these are indeed so called by [_men_, but are not [really] gods; and that he will endeavour in a tyrannical manner to set himself forth as [_God_.\n>\n> 2. Moreover, he (the apostle) has also pointed out this which I have shown in many ways, that the temple in Jerusalem was made by the direction of the _true_ God. For the apostle himself, speaking in his own person, distinctly called it the temple of _God_. Now I have shown in the third book, that no one is termed God by the _apostles_ when speaking for themselves, except Him who _truly_ is _God_, the Father of our Lord, by whose directions the temple which is at Jerusalem was constructed for those purposes which I have already mentioned; in which temple] the enemy shall sit, endeavouring to show himself as Christ, as the Lord also declares: _But when you shall see the_ __abomination of desolation__ _, which has been spoken of by Daniel the_ __prophet__ _, standing in the_ __holy__ _place (let him that reads understand), then let those who are in_[ __Judea__ _flee into the mountains; and he who is upon the house-top, let him not come down to take anything out of his house: for there shall then be great hardship, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall be._\n\n3. Daniel too, looking forward to the end of the last kingdom, i.e., the ten last kings, among whom the kingdom of those men shall be partitioned, and upon whom the son of perdition shall come, declares that ten horns shall spring from the beast, and that another little horn shall arise in the midst of them, and that three of the former shall be rooted up before his face. He says:\n\n> _And, behold, eyes were in this horn as the eyes of a_ __man__ _, and a mouth speaking great things, and his look was more stout than his fellows. I was looking, and this horn made_ __war__ _against the_ __saints__ _, and prevailed against them, until the Ancient of days came and gave judgment to the_ __saints__ _of the most high_ __God__ _, and the time came, and the_ __saints__ _obtained the kingdom._ _Daniel 7:8_, etc.\n\nThen, further on, in the interpretation of the vision, there was said to him:\n\n> _The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall excel all other kingdoms, and devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and cut it in pieces. And its ten horns are ten kings which shall arise; and after them shall arise another, who shall surpass in_ __evil deeds__ _all that were before him, and shall overthrow three kings; and he shall speak words against the most high_ __God__ _, and wear out the_ __saints__ _of the most high_ __God__ _, and shall purpose to change times and_ __laws__ _; and everything] shall be given into his hand until a time of times and a half time,_ [_Daniel 7:23_, etc.\n\nthat is, for three years and six months, during which time, when he comes, he shall reign over the earth. **Of whom also the**** _Apostle Paul_****again, speaking in the second Epistle] to the Thessalonians, and at the same time proclaiming the**[** _cause_****of his advent, thus says:**\n\n> _And then shall the_ __wicked__ _one be revealed, whom the_ __Lord Jesus__ _shall slay with the spirit of His mouth, and destroy by the presence of His coming; whose coming i.e., the_ __wicked__ _one's] is after the working of_ __Satan__ _, in all power, and signs, and portents of lies, and with all deceivableness of_ __wickedness__ _for those who perish; because they did not receive the_ __love__ _of the_ __truth__ _, that they might be saved. And therefore God will send them the working of_ __error__ _, that they may_ __believe__ _a_ __lie__ _; that they all may be judged who did not_ __believe__ _the_ __truth__ _, but gave consent to iniquity,_ [_2 Thessalonians 2:8_\n\n> 4. The Lord also spoke as follows to those who did not _believe_ in Him: _I have come in my Father's name, and you have not received Me: when another shall come in his own name, him you will receive,_ ** _John 5:43_****calling**** _Antichrist_****_the other,_ because he is alienated from the** Lord. This is also the _unjust_ judge, whom the Lord mentioned as one _who feared not_ __God__ _, neither regarded man,_ _Luke 18:2_ , etc. to whom the _widow_ fled in her forgetfulness of _God_ — that is, the earthly Jerusalem, — to be avenged of her adversary. Which also he shall do in the time of his kingdom: he shall remove his kingdom into that city], and shall sit in the temple of _God_, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. To this purpose Daniel says again: _And he shall desolate the_ __holy__ _place; and_ __sin__ _has been given for a_ __sacrifice__ _, and righteousness been cast away in the earth, and he has been active (fecit), and gone on prosperously._ _Daniel 8:12_ And the _angel_ Gabriel, when explaining his vision, states with regard to this person: _And towards the end of their kingdom a king of a most fierce countenance shall arise, one understanding dark] questions, and exceedingly powerful, full of wonders; and he shall corrupt, direct, influence (faciet), and put strong men down, the_ __holy__ _people likewise; and his yoke shall be directed as a wreath round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs._ _Daniel 8:23_ , etc. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the _saints_ shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure _sacrifice_ unto God: _And in the midst of the week, he says, the_ __sacrifice__ _and the libation shall be taken away, and the_[ __abomination of desolation__ _[shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete._ [ _Daniel 9:27_ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. ([_Adversus haereses_, Book V)\n\n## **__Chapter 30__** ** _Although certain as to the number of the name of Antichrist, yet we should come to no rash conclusions as to the name itself, because this number is capable of being fitted to many names. Reasons for this point being reserved by the Holy Spirit. Antichrist's reign and death._**\n\n> 1. Such, then, being the state of the case, and this number being found in all the most approved and ancient copies of the Apocalypse], and those men who saw John face to face bearing their testimony to it]; while reason also leads us to conclude that the number of the name of the beast, if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that _apostasy_, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end) — I do not _know_ how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] Others then received this reading without examination; some in their simplicity, and upon their own responsibility, making use of this number expressing one decad; while some, in their inexperience, have ventured to seek out a name which should contain the erroneous and spurious number. Now, as regards those who have done this in simplicity, and without _evil_ intent, we are at liberty to assume that pardon will be granted them by _God_. But as for those who, for the sake of vainglory, lay it down for certain that names containing the spurious number are to be accepted, and affirm that this name, hit upon by themselves, is that of him who is to come; such _persons_ shall not come forth without loss, because they have led into _error_ both themselves and those who confided in them. Now, in the first place, it is loss to wander from the _truth_, and to _imagine_ that as being the case which is not; then again, as there shall be no light punishment [inflicted] upon him who either adds or subtracts anything from the [ _Scripture_, [ _Revelation 22:19_ under that such a person must necessarily fall. Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who [ _falsely_ presume that they [ _know_ the name of [ _Antichrist_. For if these men assume one [number], when this [ [ _Antichrist_ ] shall come having another, they will be easily led away by him, as supposing him not to be the expected one, who must be guarded against.\n\n> 2. These men, therefore, ought to learn what really is the state of the case], and go back to the _true_ number of the name, that they be not reckoned among _false prophets_. But, _knowing_ the sure number declared by Scripture, that is, six hundred sixty and six, let them await, in the first place, the division of the kingdom into ten; then, in the next place, when these kings are reigning, and beginning to set their affairs in order, and advance their kingdom, let them learn] to acknowledge that he who shall come claiming the kingdom for himself, and shall terrify those men of whom we have been speaking, having a name containing the aforesaid number, is _truly_ the _abomination of desolation_. This, too, the apostle affirms: _When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction shall come upon them._ [ _1 Thessalonians 5:3_ And Jeremiah does not merely point out his sudden coming, but he even indicates the tribe from which he shall come, where he says, _We shall hear the voice of his swift horses from Dan; the whole earth shall be moved by the voice of the neighing of his galloping horses: he shall also come and devour the earth, and the fullness thereof, the city also, and they that dwell therein._ [ _Jeremiah 8:16_ This, too, is the reason that this tribe is not reckoned in the Apocalypse along with those which are saved.\n>\n> 3. It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous, to await the fulfilment of the _prophecy_, than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. For if there are many names found possessing this number, it will be asked which among them shall the coming man bear. It is not through a want of names containing the number of that name that I say this, but on account of the _fear_ of _God_, and _zeal_ for the _truth_: for the name _Evanthas_ (ΕΥΑΝΘΑΣ) contains the required number, but I make no allegation regarding it. Then also _Lateinos_ (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable solution], this being the name of the last kingdom of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this coincidence]. _Teitan_ too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the _idols_ which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many [ _persons_, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed _Titan_ by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he ([_Antichrist_) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name _Titan_ has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer, that perchance he who is to come shall be called _Titan._ We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of [ _Antichrist_; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of [ _Domitian's_ reign.\n>\n> 4. But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however, is suppressed, because it is not worthy of being proclaimed by the _Holy Spirit_. For if it had been declared by Him, _he (___Antichrist__ _) might perhaps continue for a long period. But now as he was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the abyss, and goes into perdition,_ _Revelation 17:8_ as one who has no _existence_; so neither has his name been declared, for the name of that which does not exist is not proclaimed. But when this _Antichrist_ shall have devastated all things in this world, **he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the**** _glory_****of the**** _Father_****, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom** , that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to _Abraham_ the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, _that many coming from the east and from the west should sit down with_ __Abraham__ _, Isaac, and Jacob._ _Matthew 8:11_ (Ibid.)\n\nHippolytus\n\n14. Thus did the _Scriptures_ preach before-time of this lion and lion's cub. **And in like manner also we find it written regarding**** _Antichrist_**. For _Moses_ speaks thus:\n\n> _Dan is a lion's cub, and he shall leap from Bashan._ _Deuteronomy 33:22_\n\nBut that no one may _err_ by supposing that this is said of the _Saviour_, let him attend carefully to the matter. _Dan,_ he says, _is a lion's cub;_ and in naming the tribe of Dan, he declared clearly the tribe from which _Antichrist_ is destined to spring. For as Christ springs from the _tribe of Judah_, **so**** _Antichrist_****is to spring from the tribe of Dan**. And that the case stands thus, we see also from the words of Jacob:\n\n> _Let Dan be a serpent, lying upon the ground, biting the horse's heel._ _Genesis 49:17_\n\n**What, then, is meant by the serpent but**** _Antichrist_****, that deceiver who is mentioned in Genesis,****_Genesis 3:1_****who deceived Eve and supplanted Adam (πτερνι'σας, bruised Adam's heel)?** But since it is necessary to prove this assertion by sufficient testimony, we shall not shrink from the task.\n\n15. That it is in reality **out of the tribe of Dan, then, that that tyrant and king, that dread judge, that son of the**** _devil_****, is destined to spring and arise** , the _prophet_ testifies when he says,\n\n> _Dan shall judge his people, as (he is) also one tribe in_ __Israel__ _.__Genesis 49:16_\n\nBut some one may say that this refers to _Samson_, who sprang from the tribe of Dan, and judged the people twenty years. Well, the _prophecy_ had its partial fulfilment in _Samson_, **but its complete fulfilment is reserved for**** _Antichrist_**. For Jeremiah also speaks to this effect:\n\n> _From Dan we are to hear the sound of the swiftness of his horses: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing, of the driving of his horses._ _Jeremiah 8:16_\n\nAnd another _prophet_ says:\n\n> _He shall gather together all his strength, from the east even to the west. They whom he calls, and they whom he calls not, shall go with him. He shall make the sea white with the sails of his ships, and the plain black with the shields of his armaments. And whosoever shall oppose him in_ __war__ _shall fall by the sword._\n\nThat these things, then, are said of no one else but that tyrant, and shameless one, and adversary of _God_, we shall show in what follows. (_The Antichrist_)\n\nThe Jewish Encyclopedia claims that this teaching of some of early Christians is actually of Jewish origin:\n\n_Dan, Type of Antichrist._\n\n> But Dan became the very type of evil-doing. He was placed to the north (_Num. ii. 25_), this being the region of darkness and evil (_Jer. i. 14_), because of his idolatry which wrapped the world in darkness (_Num. R. ii._). **Still further goes a tradition which identifies the serpent and the lion (****_Gen. xlix. 17_****and**** _Deut. xxxiii. 22_****) with**** _Belial_****(see the literature in Bousset's \"Antichrist,\" 1895, pp. 87, 113). Irenæus (\"Adversus Hæreses,\" v. 302), Hippolytus (\"De Christo et Antichristo,\" pp. 14, 15), and other Church fathers have a tradition, which can not but be of Jewish origin, that the**** _Antichrist_****comes from the tribe of Dan** , and base it upon _Jer. viii. 16_ : \"The snorting of his the enemy's] horses was heard from Dan\"—a verse referred also in _Gen. R. xliii._ to Dan's idolatry. **Irenæus remarks that Dan is, in view of this tradition, not in the Apocalypse (Rev. vii. 5-7) among the 144,000 saved ones of the twelve tribes. Nor is the omission of Dan in**** _I Chron. iv._****__et seq.__****unintentional**. Bousset, who has a special chapter devoted to the Dan Antichrist legend (_l.c._ pp. 112-115), believes that the connection of Dan with Belial in Test. Patr., Dan, 5 points to the same tradition. This seems to find corroboration in Targ. Yer. to Deut. xxxiv. 3, where the war against Ahriman ( )and Gog or Magog in the vision of Moses seems to refer to _Dan, 1_ (compare Sifre, _l.c._ to ; _see also Dan_, in [ _Ten Tribes, The Lost_.)\n\n## Further Reading\n\n**_THE EARLY CHURCH ON CHRIST’S_**** _THOUSAND_**** _YEAR_**** _REIGN_**\n\n**_JUSTIN,_****__RE__**** _SURRECTION & 1,000 YEAR REIGN_**\n\n** _EARLY CHURCH ON AGE OF CREATION_**",
"title": "Dan: The Tribe of Antichrist",
"updatedAt": "2026-03-07T17:52:21.297Z"
}