The Tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:7-8). This tribe played a significant role in the history of Israel, particularly during the period of the wilderness wanderings and the conquest of Canaan.

Selection of a Spy from Naphtali

During the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, God commanded Moses to send twelve men, one from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan. This mission was crucial for assessing the land that God had promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The account of this event is recorded in the Book of Numbers.

From the Tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi was chosen as the representative to spy out the land. Numbers 13:14 states, "from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi." Nahbi, along with the other eleven spies, was tasked with exploring the land and bringing back a report on its conditions, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fertility of the land.

The Mission and Its Aftermath

The spies spent forty days exploring Canaan, from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. They observed the land's abundance, bringing back a cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs as evidence of its fertility (Numbers 13:23-24). However, upon their return, ten of the spies, including Nahbi, gave a discouraging report, emphasizing the strength and size of the inhabitants, which instilled fear among the Israelites.

Numbers 13:31-32 records their report: "But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!' So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land they had spied out, saying, 'The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are of great stature.'"

This negative report led to a rebellion among the Israelites, who doubted God's promise and expressed a desire to return to Egypt. As a result, God decreed that the generation of Israelites who had come out of Egypt, except for Joshua and Caleb, would not enter the Promised Land. Instead, they would wander in the wilderness for forty years until a new generation arose (Numbers 14:29-34).

Legacy of the Tribe of Naphtali

Despite the initial failure of the spies' mission, the Tribe of Naphtali eventually settled in the northern region of Canaan, in an area known for its beauty and fertility. The tribe's territory included the region around the Sea of Galilee, which would later become significant in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Tribe of Naphtali is remembered for its role in the early history of Israel and its contribution to the exploration of the Promised Land, despite the challenges and setbacks faced during the wilderness period.Numbers 13:14
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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