Lexical Definition

‎נַפְתָּלִי‎ Naphtâlîy (naf-taw-lee') Naphtali N:N-M-P
from ‎פָּתַל‎; my wrestling

Naphtali.

n pr m
1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel
2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob
n pr loc
3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali

See Greek: Νεφθαλείμ

Usage: 18 forms in 49 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
נַפְתָּלִי֙ Naphtali Num.26.48 • Deut.33.23 • Judg.4.10
נַפְתָּלִֽי Naphtali Gen.30.8 • 1Kgs.15.20 • 2Chr.16.4 • Ps.68.27
נַפְתָּלִ֥י Naphtali Ezek.48.3
נַפְתָּלִ֜י Naphtali Josh.21.6 • Josh.21.32
נַפְתָּלִ֗י Naphtali Judg.1.33 • 1Kgs.7.14 • 1Chr.6.62 • 1Chr.6.76 • 1Chr.7.13 • Ezek.48.4
נַפְתָּלִ֖י Naphtali Gen.49.21 • Num.26.50 • Num.34.28 • Josh.19.32 • Josh.19.39 • 1Chr.2.2 • Ezek.48.34
נַפְתָּלִ֔י Naphtali Num.1.42 • Num.2.29 • Num.13.14 • Deut.34.2 • Josh.19.32 • Josh.20.7 • Isa.9.1
נַפְתָּלִ֑י Naphtali Gen.46.24 • Num.1.43 • Num.2.29 • Num.7.78 • Num.10.27 • 2Kgs.15.29 • 2Chr.34.6
מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י from Naphtali Judg.7.23
לְנַ֨פְתָּלִ֔י for Naphtali Num.1.15 • 1Chr.27.19
וּמִנַּפְתָּלִ֖י and of Naphtali 1Chr.12.34
וּלְנַפְתָּלִ֣י and of Naphtali Deut.33.23
וּבְנַפְתָּלִ֔י and in Naphtali Judg.6.35
וְנַפְתָּלִֽי and Naphtali Gen.35.25 • Deut.27.13
וְנַפְתָּלִ֗י and Naphtali 1Chr.12.40
וְנַפְתָּלִ֖י and Naphtali Exod.1.4
וְנַפְתָּלִ֑י and Naphtali Judg.5.18
בְּנַפְתָּלִ֑י in Naphtali 1Kgs.4.15

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎נַפְתָּלִי‎ proper name, masculine and of a tribe Naphtali, Νεφθαλει (μ), etc. (interpreted as my wrestling Gen 30:8 perhaps originally crafty, cunning one); —

1. second son of Jacob and Bilhah Gen 30:8 (J), Gen 35:25; Gen 46:24 (P), 1Chr 2:2, compare Gen 49:21 (poem).

2. as a tribe of Israel:
a. Judg 1:33; Judg 4:10; Judg 5:18; Deut 33:23 (twice in verse) +; so (Hexateuch, only P) ‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי נ‎ Judg 4:6; Num 1:42 + 6 t., ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה נ‎ Num 2:29; 1Kgs 7:14 + 5 t., ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה בְּנֵי נ‎ Num 10:27; Num 34:28; Josh 19:39 ‎׳‎‎שַׁעַר נ‎ Ezek 48:34 (in new Jerusalem); ‎׳‎‎אֶרֶץ נ‎ 1Kgs 15:20; 2Kgs 15:29, compare Isa 8:23* ‎׳‎‎קֶדֶשׁ נ‎ Judg 4:6 ‎׳‎‎הַר נ‎ Josh 20:7 ‎׳‎‎גְּבוּל נ‎ Ezek 48:4, ‎׳‎‎יָ֫מָּה נ‎ vEzek 48:3 ‎׳‎‎עָרֵי נ‎ 2Chr 16:4.
b. as territorial name Deut 34:2 (JE) 1Kgs 4:15; 1Chr 12:41* (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:40*), 2Chr 34:6; Judg 6:35; Judg 7:23 might be a or
b.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
Genesis 30:8 · 35:25 · 46:24 · 49:21
Numbers 1:42 · 2:29 · 10:27 · 34:28
Deuteronomy 33:23 · 34:2
Joshua 19:39 · 20:7
Judges 1:33 · 4:6 · 4:10 · 5:18 · 6:35 · 7:23
1 Kings 4:15 · 7:14 · 15:20
2 Kings 15:29
1 Chronicles 2:2 · 12:40* · 12:41*
2 Chronicles 16:4 · 34:6
Isaiah 8:23*
Ezekiel 48:3 · 48:4 · 48:34

Profile

Male • Son of Israel • Son of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali.

Jacob's son living at the time of the Patriarchs

Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and second son of Bilhah, was the founder of the Israelite tribe that bore his name.

Naphtali was the sixth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:8; 35:25). His birth was celebrated by Rachel, who had been struggling with infertility. She named him Naphtali, saying, "With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed" (Genesis 30:8).

As one of the twelve tribes of Israel, Naphtali played a significant role in the history of God's chosen people. During the Exodus, the tribe of Naphtali was led by Ahira son of Enan (Numbers 1:15) and was counted among the Israelite tribes in the wilderness (Numbers 1:42-43; 26:48-50).

In the arrangement of the Israelite camp, Naphtali was positioned on the north side, along with the tribes of Dan and Asher (Numbers 2:29). The tribe also had representatives among the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan (Numbers 13:14) and had a designated leader, Pedahel son of Ammihud, during the allocation of the Promised Land (Numbers 34:28).

The territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali was in the northern part of Canaan, bordering Asher, Zebulun, and Issachar (Joshua 19:32-39). The region was known for its fertile lands and abundant resources, as reflected in Jacob's blessing: "Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns" (Genesis 49:21) and Moses' blessing: "Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake" (Deuteronomy 33:23).

Throughout Israel's history, the tribe of Naphtali played various roles. They participated in the battles against Sisera (Judges 4:6, 10; 5:18) and the Midianites (Judges 6:35; 7:23). The tribe also provided skilled warriors to support David (1 Chronicles 12:34, 40) and was known for its wise and articulate people (Judges 5:18; Psalm 68:27).

In the New Testament, Naphtali is mentioned in connection with Jesus' ministry in the region of Galilee (Matthew 4:13, 15), fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1. The tribe is also listed among the twelve tribes of Israel sealed by God in the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:6).

All entries for Naphtali: נַפְתָּלִי ☩ Νεφθαλείμ