Naphtali (năph'ta-lî), my wrestling. The sixth son of Jacob, by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Genesis 30:7-8. He had four sons. Genesis 46:24; Exodus 1:4; 1 Chronicles 7:13. Jacob said, "Naphtali is a hind let loose, he giveth goodly words," graceful and eloquent. Genesis 49:21.
Territory of Naphtali, peopled by his descendants, called Nephthalim, Matthew 4:15, A.V., was called "the west and the south," A.V., literally "the sea and the circuit." Deuteronomy 33:23; Joshua 19:32-39. It lay in a rich and fertile portion of Northern Palestine, partly along the Lebanon range, called "the mount of Naphtali" Joshua 19:32-39; Joshua 20:7, R. V., "Hill country of Naphtali." They attended in force at the coronation of David, 1 Chronicles 12:34, and are mentioned with honor in the wars of the Judges, Judges 1:33; Judges 5:18; Judges 6:35; Judges 7:23, as much reduced by the Syrians, 1 Kings 15:20, and as among the first captives to Assyria, 2 Kings 15:29; Isaiah 9:1. Barak was their most notable leader. Judges 4:6-16. Our Saviour spent much time in the southern part of this region; Matthew 4:13-15; Mark 2:1-12, partially fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-2.