Naphtali
“My wrestling”
Summary
Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and second by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; his descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel whose territory included the fertile region around the Sea of Galilee.
☩The Patriarch
Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and his second by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, born in Padan-Aram. At his birth Rachel said, 'With wrestlings of God have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed,' and she called his name Naphtali, meaning 'my wrestling.' By his birth he was allied to Dan, his full brother. When Jacob's family migrated to Egypt, Naphtali had four sons. In Jewish traditions, he is celebrated for his powers as a swift runner and was named as one of the five chosen by Joseph to represent the family before Pharaoh.
☩Jacob's Blessing
In Jacob's dying prophecy, he said of Naphtali: 'Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.' The hind symbolizes a swift warrior, and the blessing suggests both the graceful prosperity of the tribe in its fertile allotment and its fame for eloquence. Moses blessed Naphtali saying, 'O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south.'
☩Territory
The tribe's inheritance was in northern Canaan, with the upper Jordan on the east and Asher on the west. It included the whole western coast of the Sea of Galilee, described by Josephus as 'an earthly paradise.' The district had great variety of climate and scenery, with different parts renowned for varied products—olives, oranges, vineyards, and fine crops of wheat and barley. The climate of the lower levels near the lake is hot and suited for tropical plants, so that fruits ripen earlier than elsewhere.
☩Military History
The tribe was noted for military valor. In the struggle with Sisera, Naphtali was found on the high places of the field, and Deborah praised them for jeoparding their lives unto death. They helped Gideon against Midian and contributed substantially to David's forces at Hebron—a thousand captains with thirty-seven thousand soldiers. Their exposed position made them the first west of the Jordan to be carried away captive by Tiglath-pileser of Assyria.
☩Prophetic Fulfillment
Isaiah prophesied that though Zebulun and Naphtali had been afflicted, in later times this region would see a great light—a prophecy fulfilled when Jesus conducted much of His public ministry in this very district. Matthew explicitly cites this prophecy as fulfilled when Jesus made Capernaum His base and taught and healed throughout Galilee. Where darkness was greatest and captivity first came, there gospel light first shone.
Related Verses51 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Naphtali," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Naphtali," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Naphtali," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Naphtali," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).