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.
An adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels - х shªpiypon (H8207)] Coluber cerastes, or horned snake, very common in Egypt and the desert, of from eighteen inches to two feet in length, in colour like the sand or soil, which is accustomed to lurk in the sand, or in the tracks of a road, whence it springs suddenly on the object of its attack, particularly on horses, which it assails by piercing the horses' hoofs with its sharp sting; and as the action of the poison is exceedingly rapid, and soon fatal, the rider falls backward (Pliny's 'Hist. Nat.,' lib. 9:, cap. 32; Bochart's Hieroz.,' lib. 3:, chapter 12; Bruce's 'Travels;' Tristram's 'Israel'). In both places they were exposed to the invasion of foreign enemies, against whom they characteristically carried on warfare more by cunning and stratagem than by physical force, of which a noted example is furnished by the exploits of Samson; and this is figuratively represented by a serpent or adder lying in the ruts of the highway, and biting the heels of the horses-which were not used by Israelite soldiers.