What did Jacob mean when he said his son Dan would be a serpent and a viper?

16 Dan shall judge his people 
 As one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, 
 A viper by the path, 
That bites the horse's heels 
 So that its rider shall fall backward. 
18 I have waited for your salvation, O LORD! 

Genesis 49:16 - 18

NKJV - ¹⁶ Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel. ¹⁷ Dan shall be a serpent by the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse's heels So that its rider shall fall backward.

Clarify (1) • Share • Report • Asked November 02 2014 • Berean Researcher Supporter