The Hebrew zanaq (H2187) means to spring, leap, or bound β the swift, powerful forward motion of an animal or person launching themselves. It appears in Deuteronomy 33:22, in the blessing of Dan: 'Dan is a lion's cub, springing (zanaq) out of Bashan.' The image is of a young lion launching itself from its crouching position in swift, unexpected attack. The word captures explosive, sudden force.
Zanaq in the blessing of Dan presents the tribe as fierce and swift in battle β a quality God can use for His purposes. The NT parallel is found in descriptions of the Spirit's sudden empowerment (Acts 2:2: 'suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind'). The image of the leaping lion also anticipates the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5), who springs upon His enemies in ultimate victory. There is a divine ferocity in God's redemptive action β sudden, powerful, and irresistible.