Difference between revisions of "Naphtali"

<p> [[Naphtali]] was the younger of two sons whom Rachel’s maid [[Bilhah]] bore to Jacob (&nbsp;Genesis 30:7-8). The tribe descended from him settled in the north of Canaan, and together with the neighbouring tribe of [[Zebulun]] occupied much of the region later known as Galilee. This was the region to the north and west of the Sea of [[Chinnereth]] (Lake Galilee) where Jesus grew up and where he spent most of the time recorded of him in the New Testament. The country was mainly hilly, with good pastures and fertile soil (&nbsp;Genesis 49:21; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:23; &nbsp;Joshua 19:32-39; &nbsp;Joshua 20:7; &nbsp;Isaiah 9:1; &nbsp;Matthew 4:12-16). (For other features of the region see [[Bethsaida; Capernaum; Chinnereth; Galilee; Hazor]] ) </p> <p> In Old [[Testament]] times the men of Naphtali proved to be good fighters when called upon to help the other tribes in battle (&nbsp;Judges 4:6; &nbsp;Judges 4:10; &nbsp;Judges 5:18; &nbsp;Judges 6:35; &nbsp;Judges 7:23; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:34). The tribe itself, however, was open to attack from the north (&nbsp;1 Kings 15:20). It was among the first tribes to go into captivity when [[Assyria]] invaded and finally destroyed [[Israel]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:29). Yet out of this land of darkness and defeat came light and salvation in the person of Jesus Christ (&nbsp;Isaiah 9:1; &nbsp;Matthew 4:12-16). </p>

<p> ("my wrestling".) Jacob's fifth son, second by Bilhah, Rachel's maid. &nbsp;Genesis 30:8, Rachel said, "with wrestlings of God ''(I.E. [[Earnest]] Prayer, As Her [[Husband]] Does In '' &nbsp;Genesis 32:24-28 ''; He Had [[Reproved]] Her Impatience, Telling Her God, Not He, Is The [[Giver]] Of Children: '' &nbsp;Genesis 30:1-2 ''; So She Wrestled With God)'' have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed," i.e. succeeded in getting from God a child as my sister. Thus allied to Dan (&nbsp;Genesis 35:25). He had four sons at the descent to Egypt (&nbsp;Genesis 46:24). At the census of Sinai Naphtali's tribe numbered 53,400 able for war (&nbsp;Numbers 1:43). At the borders of [[Canaan]] the tribe of Naphtali had fallen to 45,400 (&nbsp;Numbers 26:48-50). On march Naphtali was north of the tabernacle, next Dan his kinsman, and Asher (&nbsp;Numbers 2:25-31), together forming "the camp of Dan," hindmost or rearward of all the camps (&nbsp;Numbers 10:25). Naphtali had its portion between the coastland strip of Asher and the upper Jordan. Dan shortly after sent a number from his less desirable position next the [[Philistines]] to seek a settlement near his kinsman Napthtali in the far north. </p> <p> Zebulun was on S. of Naphtali; trans-jordanic [[Manasseh]] on the E. The ravine of the [[Leontes]] (Litany) and the valley between [[Lebanon]] and Antilebanon was on the N. Thus, Naphtali had the well watered district about [[Banias]] and the springs of the Jordan. Jacob in his dying prophecy says, "Naphtali is a hind let loose, he giveth goodly words." The targums of Pseudo-Jonathan and [[Jerusalem]] say Naphtali first told Jacob [[Joseph]] was alive. "Naphtali ''(Say The Targums)'' is a swift messenger, like a hind that runneth on the mountains, bringing good tidings." Joshua (&nbsp;Joshua 20:7) calls it "Mount Naphtali" from the mountainous parts of its possessions. Shelucha, "let loose," is cognate to sheluchim, "the apostles," who on Galilee mountains "brought good tidings" of Jesus (&nbsp;Isaiah 52:7). &nbsp;Habakkuk 3:19, "the Lord will make my feet like hinds' feet," has in view Jacob's prophecy as to Naphtali. Temporally Naphtali disports gracefully and joyously in its fertile allotment, as a hind at large exulting amidst grass; it shall be famous too for eloquence. The "bind" symbolizes a swift warrior (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:18; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8). </p> <p> Barak with 10,000 men of Naphtali, at Deborah's call, fought and delivered Israel from [[Jabin]] of Canaan. His war-like energy and his and Deborah's joint song are specimens of the prowess and the eloquence of Naphtali (Judges 4-5); Naphtali and Zebulun "jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field" (&nbsp;Judges 5:18). So they helped [[Gideon]] against [[Midian]] (&nbsp;Judges 6:35; &nbsp;Judges 7:23). Moses' blessing on Naphtali is (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:23), "Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of Jehovah, possess thou the "sect" ( '''''Yam''''' ) and the sunny district" ''(Not As Kjv "The W. And The S.," For Its [[Lot]] Was N. But Its Climate In Parts Was Like That Of The S.)'' , namely, the whole W. coast of the sea of Galilee, "an earthly paradise" (Josephus, B.J. 3:3, section 2), and lake [[Merom]] (Huleh). The district is still called Belad Besharah, "land of good tidings." The climate of the lower levels is hot and suited for tropical plants, so that fruits ripen earlier than elsewhere (&nbsp;Joshua 19:32, etc.). </p> <p> "The soil is rich, full of trees of all sorts, so fertile as to invite the most slothful to cultivate it" (Josephus); but now the population of this once thickly peopled, flourishing region, is as scanty as its natural vegetation is luxuriant. Its forests and ever varying scenery are among the finest in [[Palestine]] (Van de Velde, 1:170, 293; 2:407). Naphtali failed to drive out the [[Canaanites]] (&nbsp;Judges 1:33). [[Pagan]] neighbours soon made it and northern Israel "Galilee of the Gentiles." Tiglath Pileser swept away its people to Assyria; [[Benhadad]] of Syria had previously smitten all Naphtali (&nbsp;1 Kings 15:20; &nbsp;2 Kings 15:29). But where the darkness was greatest and the captivity first came, there gospel light first shone, as foretold of Zebulun and Naphtali (&nbsp;Isaiah 9:1-2; &nbsp;Matthew 4:16). Naphtali shall have its 12,000 elect ones sealed (&nbsp;Revelation 7:6), and its allotment in restored Israel (&nbsp;Ezekiel 48:3-4; &nbsp;Ezekiel 48:34). </p>

<p> Fifth son of Jacob, and second of Bilhah. The name also often includes his descendants, and the territory which they possessed. Naphtali and his four sons entered Egypt with Jacob, and nothing further is recorded of him personally. At the two numberings of the tribes Naphtali amounted to 53,400 and 45,400. When Jacob prophetically announced to the tribes that which should befall them in the last days, he said, "Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words," &nbsp;Genesis 49:21; it is the remnant of Israel as the vessel of testimony. Moses said, "O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south." &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:23 . It is the full blessing of the remnant as Jehovah's people. </p> <p> Their possession, which was mountainous and fertile, was in the north with the upper Jordan on the east and Asher in the west. Ijon, which was farther north than Dan, was in their land. &nbsp;Joshua 19:32-39 . When Baasha, king of Israel, attacked Judah, Asa sent gold and silver to Ben-hadad, king of Syria, for help. He responded at once, and his army smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. &nbsp;2 Chronicles 16:4 . This tribe was the first of those on the west of the Jordan to be carried away captive by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria. &nbsp;2 Kings 15:29 . </p> <p> In &nbsp;Isaiah 9:1,2 it is prophesied that Naphtali with Zebulun should see a great light: this was fulfilled when the Lord traversed that district, taught in the synagogues, and healed diseases there. &nbsp; Matthew 4:13,15 , (where the name is NEPHTHALIM and in &nbsp;Revelation 7:6 NEPTHALIM). The prophecy seems to say that Zebulun and [[Nephthalim]] were beyond the Jordan; but some judge that <i> three </i> districts are alluded to; Zebulun and Nephthalim; the way of the sea beyond the Jordan; and Galilee of the Gentiles. But others judge that only the district on the west of the Jordan is alluded to. The [[Hebrew]] word in &nbsp;Isaiah 9:1 , translated 'beyond' is <i> eber, </i> and is sometimes translated 'on this side,' as in &nbsp;Joshua 1:14,15 . When the Lord Jesus was on earth, the great light was shed on both sides of the Jordan, though the west was more especially the scene of His ministry. Matthew's [[Gospel]] does not speak of His ministry at Jerusalem until He went there to suffer. </p>

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

<p> ''''' naf´ta ''''' - ''''' lı̄ ''''' ( נפתּלי , <i> ''''' naphtālı̄ ''''' </i> ; Νεφθαλείμ , <i> ''''' Nephthaleı́m ''''' </i> ): </p> <p> I. The [[Patriarch]] </p> <p> 1. Name </p> <p> 2. [[Circumstances]] of His Birth </p> <p> 3. [[Historical]] and Traditional Details </p> <p> II. [[Tribe Of Naphtali]] </p> <p> 1. Its Relative Position </p> <p> 2. Its Location in Palestine </p> <p> 3. [[Physical]] Features </p> <p> 4. [[Distinction]] of the [[Tribe]] </p> <p> 5. Sites and Inhabitants </p> <p> 6. Labors of Jesus in This [[District]] </p> I. The Patriarch. <p> <b> 1. Name: </b> </p> <p> The 5th son of Jacob, and the 2nd born to him by Rachel's handmaid, Bilhah. He was full brother of Dan (&nbsp;Genesis 30:7 ff). </p> <p> At his birth Rachel is said to have exclaimed, <i> ''''' naphtūlē ''''' </i> <i> ''''' ‛ĕl̄ohı̄m ''''' </i> <i> ''''' niphtaltı̄ ''''' </i> , "wrestlings of God" - i.e. "mighty wrestlings" - "have I wrestled." </p> <p> <b> 2. Circumstances of His Birth: </b> </p> <p> Her sister's fruitfulness was a sore trial to the barren Rachel. By her artifice she had obtained children, the offspring of her maid ranking as her own; and thus her reproach of childlessness was removed. The name Naphtali given to this son was a monument of her victory. She had won the favor and blessing of God as made manifest in the way yearned for by the oriental heart, the birth of sons. </p> <p> <b> 3. Historical and Traditional Details: </b> </p> <p> Personal details regarding the patriarch North are entirely wanting in Scripture; and the traditions have not much to say about him. According to <i> [[Targum]] Pseudo-Jonathan </i> , he was a swift runner. It also tells us that he was one of the 5 brethren whom Joseph chose to represent the family of Jacob in the presence of Pharaoh. He is said to have been 132 years old at his death ( <i> Testament of the Twelve [[Patriarchs]] </i> , viii, 1,1). When Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, Naphtali had 4 sons (&nbsp; Genesis 46:24 ). In Egypt, he died and was buried. </p> II. Tribe of Naphtali. <p> <b> 1. Its Relative Position: </b> </p> <p> When the first census was taken in the wilderness, the tribe numbered 53,400 fighting men (&nbsp;Numbers 1:43; &nbsp;Numbers 2:30 ). At the second census, the numbers had shrunk to 45,400 (&nbsp;Numbers 26:48 ff); but see [[Numbers]] . The position of Naphtali in the desert was on the North of the tabernacle with the standard of the camp of Dan, along with the tribe of Asher (&nbsp;Numbers 2:25 ff). The standard, according to [[Jewish]] tradition, was a serpent, or basilisk, with the legend, "Return of <i> ''''' [[Yahweh]] ''''' </i> to the many thousands of Israel" ( <i> Targum Pseudo-Jonathan </i> on &nbsp; Numbers 2:25 ). When the host was on the march, this camp came in the rear (&nbsp;Numbers 2:31 ). The prince of the tribe at Sinai was [[Ahira]] ben [[Enan]] (&nbsp;Numbers 2:29 ). Among the spies the tribe was represented by [[Nahbi]] ben [[Vophsi]] (&nbsp;Numbers 13:14 ). Prince [[Pedahel]] ben [[Ammihud]] was chosen from Naphtali to assist in the division of the land (&nbsp;Numbers 34:28 ). Toward the end of David's reign the ruler of the tribe was [[Jeremoth]] ben [[Azriel]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:19 ). Hiram the [[Tyrian]] artificer is described as "the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali" (&nbsp;1 Kings 7:14 ). But in &nbsp;2 Chronicles 2:14 he is called "the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan." &nbsp; Judges 5:15 does not definitely associate Barak with the tribe of Issachar; his residence was at [[Kedesh]] (&nbsp; Judges 4:6 ); it is therefore possible that he belonged to the tribe of Naphtali. </p> <p> <b> 2. Its Location in Palestine: </b> </p> <p> In the allocation of the land, the lot of Naphtali was the last but one to be drawn (&nbsp;Joshua 19:32-39 ). The boundaries are stated with great fullness. While it is yet impossible to trace them with certainty, the identification of sites in recent years, for which we are mainly indebted to the late Col. Conder, makes possible an approximation. The territory was bounded on the East by the Sea of Galilee and the upper reaches of the Jordan. Josephus makes it extend to [[Damascus]] ( <i> Ant. </i> , V, i, 22); but there is nothing to support this. The southern boundary probably ran from the point where <i> ''''' Wâdy ''''' </i> <i> ''''' el ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' Bı̄reh ''''' </i> enters the Jordan, westward along the northern side of the valley to Mt. Tabor. The western border may have gone up by way of <i> ''''' Ḥaṭṭı̄n ''''' </i> (Ziddim) and <i> ''''' Yāḳūḳ ''''' </i> (Hukkok) to <i> ''''' Kefr ''''' </i> <i> ''''' ‛Anān ''''' </i> (Hannathon), bending there to the West, including the land of <i> ''''' er ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' Rāmeh ''''' </i> (Ramah) until it reached the territory of Asher. [[Running]] northward again until nearly opposite Tyre, it bent eastward, and once more northward to the <i> ''''' Liṭāny ''''' </i> (Leontes), taking in the larger part of what is called by the Arabs <i> ''''' Belād ''''' </i> <i> ''''' Beshārah ''''' </i> and <i> ''''' Belād ''''' </i> es- <i> ''''' Shukı̄f ''''' </i> . [[Nineteen]] cities in Naphtali are named in &nbsp;Joshua 19:32 ff. Among them was the famous city of refuge, [[Kedesh-Naphtali]] (which see), on the heights to the West of the [[Waters]] of Merom, where extensive ruins are still to be seen (&nbsp;Joshua 20:7 ). It, along with Hammoth-dor and Kartan, was assigned to the [[Gershonite]] [[Levites]] (&nbsp;Joshua 21:23; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 6:76 ). </p> <p> The land lying around the springs of the Jordan was included in the lot of Naphtali. It is clear that from this part, as well as from the cities named in &nbsp;Judges 1:33 , Naphtali did not drive out the Canaanites. These the [[Danites]] found in possession at the time of their raid. There is no indication that Naphtali resented in any way this incursion of their kindred tribe into their territory (Jdg 18). </p> <p> <b> 3. Physical Features: </b> </p> <p> The district thus indicated includes much excellent land, both pastoral and arable. There are the broad, rich terraces that rise away to the North and Northwest of the Sea of Galilee, with the fertile plain of [[Gennesaret]] on the seashore. The mountains immediately North of the sea are rocky and barren; but when this tract is passed, we enter the lofty and spacious lands of upper Galilee, which from time immemorial have been the joy of the peasant farmer. Great breadths there are which in season yield golden harvests. The richly diversified scenery, mountain, hill and valley, is marked by a finer growth of trees than is common in Palestine. The terebinth and pine, the olive, mulberry, apricot, fig, pomegranate, orange, lemon and vine are cultivated to good purpose. [[Water]] is comparatively plentiful, supplied by many copious springs. It was one of the districts from which Solomon drew provisions, the officer in charge being the king's son-in-law, [[Ahimaaz]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:15 ). </p> <p> <b> 4. Distinction of the Tribe: </b> </p> <p> The free life of these spacious uplands, which yielded so liberally to the touch of the hand of industry, developed a robust manhood and a wholesome spirit of independence among its inhabitants. According to Josephus, who knew them well ( <i> Bj </i> , III, iii, 2), the country never lacked multitudes of men of courage ready to give a good account of themselves on all occasions of war. Its history, as far as we know it, afforded ample opportunity for the development of warlike qualities. In the struggle with Sisera, Naphtali was found on the high places of the field (&nbsp;Judges 5:18 ). To David's forces at Hebron, Naphtali contributed a thousand captains "and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:34 ). Their position exposed them to the first brunt of attack by enemies from the North; and in the wars of the kings they bore an important part (&nbsp;1 Kings 15:20; &nbsp;2 Kings 12:18; &nbsp;2 Kings 13:22 ); and they were the first on the West of the Jordan to be carried away captive (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:29 ). See Galilee . </p> <p> <b> 5. Sites and Inhabitants: </b> </p> <p> The largest town in Mt. Naphtali today (in 1915) is <i> ''''' Ṣafed ''''' </i> , on the heights due North of the Sea of Galilee, often spoken of as the "city set on a hill." It is built in the form of a horseshoe, open to the North, round the [[Castle]] Hill, on which are the ruins of the old fortress of the Templars. This is a position of great strength, which could hardly fail to be occupied in ancient times, although, so far, it cannot be identified with any ancient city. It contains between 20,000,30,000 inhabitants. Over against it to the Northwest, beyond the deep gorge of <i> ''''' Wâdy ''''' </i> <i> ''''' Leimūn ''''' </i> , rises <i> ''''' Jebel ''''' </i> <i> ''''' Jermuk ''''' </i> , the highest mountain in Palestine proper (circa 4,000 feet) which may be the scene of the [[Transfiguration]] (which see). The inhabitants of <i> ''''' Ṣafed ''''' </i> were massacred by [[Sultan]] Bibars in 1266. The city suffered severely from earthquake in 1759; and it shared with Tibefias, also a city of Naphtali., the disaster wrought by the earthquake of 1837. It is one of the holy cities of the Jews. </p> <p> <b> 6. Labors of Jesus in This District: </b> </p> <p> In the land of Naphtali Jesus spent a great part of his public life, the land of Gennesaret, Bethsaida, Capernaum and [[Chorazin]] all lying within its boundaries (compare &nbsp;Matthew 4:15 ). </p>

<p> (Heb. Naphtali', '''''נִפְתָּלַר''''' '', My Wrestling,'' see &nbsp;Genesis 30:8; Sept. '''''Νεφθαλί''''' , but fourteen times '''''Νεφθαλει''''' , as &nbsp;Genesis 30:8; eight times '''''Νεφθαλείμ''''' '','' as &nbsp;Genesis 35:25; once '''''Νεφδαλίμ''''' , as &nbsp;1 Kings 4:15; N.T. and Josephus, '''''Νεφθαλείμ''''' ; Vulg. O.T. ''Nephthali;'' but sometimes ''Nephtali,'' as &nbsp;Genesis 30:8; N.T. ''Nephthalinm;'' Auth. Ver. N.T. "Nephthalim"), the sixth son of Jacob, and his second by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, born B.C. 1915, in Padan-Aram. (In the following account of this patriarch and the tribe descended from him we bring together a general view of the whole subject.) At his birth, the origin of the name is thus explained (&nbsp;Genesis 30:8): "And Rachel said, With ''Wrestlings Of God Have I Wrestled" ( '''''נַפְתִּלְתַּי''''' '' '''''נִפְתּוּלֵי''''' '''''אֵֹלחַים''''' , i.e., according to the Hebrew idiom, "immense wrestlings; '''''Ἀμηχάνητος''''' '''''Οιον''''' , "as if irresistible," is the explanation of the name given by Josephus, ''Ant.'' 1:19, 8) "with my sister; and I have prevailed; and she called his name ''Naphtali."'' Both the [[Septuagint]] and Latin versions mistake the meaning and spoil the force of this passage (&nbsp;Genesis 30:8). Onkelos and the [[Syriac]] version represent Rachel as having entreated God by prayer, and this seems to be the correct idea (see Kalisch, ad loc.). By his birth Naphtali was thus allied to Dan (&nbsp;Genesis 35:25); and he also belonged to the same portion of the family as [[Ephraim]] and Benjamin, the sons of Rachel; but, as we shall see, these connections appear to have been only imperfectly maintained by the tribe descended from him. At the migration to Egypt four sons are attributed to Naphtali (&nbsp;Genesis 46:24; &nbsp;Exodus 1:4; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 7:13). Of the individual patriarch not a single trait is given in the Bible, as up to the time of Jacob's blessing the twelve patriarchs his name is only mentioned in two public lists (&nbsp;Genesis 35:25; &nbsp;Genesis 46:24); but in the Jewish traditions he is celebrated for his powers as a swift runner, and he is named as one of the five who were chosen by Joseph to represent the family before [[Pharaoh]] ''(Targ. Pseudojon.'' on &nbsp;Genesis 1:13; &nbsp;Genesis 47:2). In the ''Testament Of The Twelvepatriarchs'' Naphtali dies in his one hundred and thirty-second year, in the seventh month, on the fourth day of the month. That work explains his name as given "because Rachel had dealt deceitfully" ( '''''Ἐν''''' '''''Πανουργίᾷ''''' '''''Ἐποίησε''''' ). It also gives the genealogy of his mother: "Balla (Bilhah), the daughter of Routhaios, the brother of Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, was born the same day with Rachel. Routhaios was a Chaldaean of the kindred of Abraham, who, being taken captive, was bought as a slave by Laban. [[Laban]] gave him his maid Aina or Eva to wife, by whom he had Zelipha (Zilpah) '''''—''''' so called from the place in which he had been captiveand Balla" (Fabricius, Cod. Pseudepigr. V.T. page 659, etc.). </p>