Naphtali
A son of Jacob by Bilhah, Rachel's servant, and founder of the tribe of Naphtali. Jacob's blessing calls him 'a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns'. The tribe settled in the fertile hill country west of the Sea of Galilee, fought under Barak and Deborah against Sisera — Barak himself was of Naphtali — and answered Gideon's call. Isaiah's prophecy that the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali would see a great light is applied by Matthew to the beginning of Jesus's ministry in Galilee.
What we know — and how we know it
Unknown artistUnknown artist — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyThe tribal land of Naphtali in Galilee is named in the biblical record of the Assyrian deportations under Tiglath-Pileser III, and the historical reality of the Assyrian conquest of Galilee is corroborated by that king's own royal inscriptions recording his campaign against the northern Israelite territory, attesting the region tied to the tribe.
Where in scripture
GenesisExodusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudges1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesPsalmsIsaiahEzekielMatthewRevelationRachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.
Genesis 30:8
The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Genesis 35:23 — Among the sons of Jacob
The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali.
Genesis 35:25
The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
Genesis 46:24
“Naphtali is a doe set free, who bears beautiful fawns.
Genesis 49:21
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Exodus 1:4
Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan.”
Numbers 1:15
“The tribe of Naphtali: and the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
Numbers 2:29
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
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