Dan
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(city) (Gen. 14:14; Josh. 19:47; Judg. 18:29) — the city of Dan was rebuilt from Laish, as mentioned by us in the preceding article. It was located at the northern extremity of the land of Israel, in the tribe of Naphtali, at the foot of Lebanon, near the source of the Jordan, and, as some think, gave its name to that river (Jor — spring, Dan — Dan). This etymology, however, is unfounded. The Jordan has no connection with the word “Dan.” This name was given to the river long before the time in question.
“Jordan” derives from a Hebrew word meaning “to flow down,” and denotes a spring flowing swiftly and continuously. The city of Dan was taken by the king of Assyria (2 Kings 15:29 [as given]). Here Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves and established solemn worship of it (1 Kings 12:29; Amos 8:14), although idolatry had prevailed here even before him (Judg. 18:17–19, 24–31). At present the site of Dan is placed east of Banias, on a small hill: Tell el-Qadi. The springs at Tell el-Qadi correspond directly to the spring which Josephus calls another source of the Jordan, likewise under the name “Dan.”