What and Who is…
Laish

Hebrew: לַיִשׁ —transliteration: Layish —meaning: lion

This is the name of 2 biblical places and a man.

  1. Laish, a city

    also known as: Leshem (Joshua 19:47) and Dan (Judges 18:7, 29; Jeremiah 8:16)

    This is a Sidonian city in the extreme north of ancient Israel (Judges 18:7, 14).

    It lay near the sources of the Jordan, about 4 miles from Banias (aka Paneas—see: Caesarea Philippi and Philippi).

    The restless and warlike tribe of Dan, looking out for larger possessions, invaded this country and took Laish with its territory. It is identified with the ruin Tell-el-Kady, “the mound of the judge,” to the north of the waters of Merom (Joshua 11:5).

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  2. Laish, a place or area

    This place is mentioned in Isaiah 10:30.

    It is believed to correspond to the modern `Isawiye (el-Isawiyeh), Israel, a couple miles northeast of Jerusalem.

  3. Laish, the man

    He is the father of Phalti (Palti) (1 Samuel 25:44).

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Article Version: March 18, 2026