Lexical Summary Nephthalim: Naphtali Original Word: Νεφθαλείμ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance NaphtaliOf Hebrew origin (Naphtaliy); Nephthaleim (i.e. Naphthali), a tribe in Palestine -- Nephthalim. see HEBREW Naphtaliy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Naphtali Definition Naphtali, a tribe of Isr. NASB Translation Naphtali (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3508: ΝεφθαλείμΝεφθαλείμ (and (so T editions 2, 7, WH in Revelation 7:6) Νεφθαλίμ; see WH's Appendix, p. 155, and under the word Iota), ὁ (נַפְתָּלִי, i. e. 'my wrestling' (cf. Genesis 30:8), or according to what seems to be a more correct interpretation 'my craftiness' (cf. Josephus, Antiquities 1, 19, 8; Test xii. Patr. test. Neph. § 1), from פָּתַל unused in Kal; cf. Rüetschi in Herzog x., p. 200f), Naphtali, the sixth son of the patriarch Jacob, by Bilhah, Rachel's maid: Revelation 7:6; by metonymy, his posterity, the tribe of Naphtali, Matthew 4:13, 15. Topical Lexicon Background in Genesis Naphtali, sixth son of Jacob and second born through Bilhah, received his name when Rachel declared, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and prevailed” (Genesis 30:8). From him descended the tribe that would bear his name. Territorial Allotment under Joshua Situated in Israel’s far north, the inheritance of Naphtali stretched from the upper Jordan Valley to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its fertile hills, inland lakes, and trade routes made the area both prosperous and vulnerable. Key cities included Kedesh, Hazor, and Chinnereth. Historical Role during the Judges and Monarchies In Judges 4–5 the tribe gained renown when Barak of Kedesh-naphtali led warriors alongside Deborah to defeat the Canaanite commander Sisera. Later, thirty-seven thousand skilled fighters from Naphtali rallied to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:34). Because of its border location, however, Naphtali was among the first deported by Tiglath-pileser III (2 Kings 15:29), a tragedy Isaiah later recalled. Prophetic Reversal in Isaiah Isaiah 9:1-2 contrasts Naphtali’s humiliation with future glory: light would dawn upon the Gentile-shadowed region. The prophecy anticipates the Messiah’s ministry and reveals God’s intent to replace anguish with salvation. Occurrences in the Greek New Testament Matthew 4:13 notes that Jesus “settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.” Matthew then cites Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:15-16). Thus the first public rays of Christ’s teaching shone upon Naphtali’s soil. Revelation 7:6 includes the tribe when twelve thousand of its number are sealed, underscoring God’s faithfulness to every branch of Israel. Theological Themes 1. Divine Reversal—Judgment gives way to grace as the earliest exiles become the earliest witnesses of Messiah. Practical Ministry Insights • Strategic Placement: Believers, like Naphtali, often stand at cultural crossroads for maximal gospel influence. Patristic and Later Reflection Early commentators saw Naphtali as emblematic of rapid gospel advance—swift as the doe, carrying “beautiful words” to the nations. Its inclusion among the sealed in Revelation reassured the Church that God’s promises to Israel remain intact. See Also Genesis 30:1-8; Genesis 49:21; Deuteronomy 33:23; Judges 4–5; Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-17; Revelation 7:1-8 Forms and Transliterations Νεφθαλειμ Νεφθαλείμ Νεφθαλιμ Νεφθαλίμ Νεφθαλὶμ Nephthalim Nephthalím NephthalìmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:13 NGRK: Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλίμ NAS: in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. KJV: of Zabulon and Nephthalim: INT: of Zebulun and Naphtali Matthew 4:15 N Revelation 7:6 N |
    |