Laish, also known as Leshem (Joshua 19:47), was a town situated in the upper Jordan valley. This location was noted for having been settled by colonists from Sidon, a prominent city of Phoenicia. Laish is mentioned in Isaiah 10:30 in a context suggesting its significance as a point of communication, as it is prompted to hear the voice raised by the daughter of Gallim. The historical narrative in the Book of Judges recounts that Laish was overtaken by the tribe of Dan, a group seeking territory to settle after finding themselves without inheritance amongst the lands of the other Israelite tribes. The Danites, recognizing Laish’s secluded and peaceful condition, captured the town and established it as their own, renaming it after their patriarch, Dan (Judges 18:7, etc.). Laish was characterized by its remote location, distant from the influence of the nearby kingdoms, which contributed to its appeal for the Danites in their quest for a secure and autonomous living space.