Son of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali.
Naphtali
Named in 50 verses across 15 books, first in Genesis 30:8.
נַפְתָּלִיNaphtali
ΝεφθαλείμNaphtali
The name means “that struggles or fights.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Israel
- Mother
- Bilhah
- Brothers and sisters
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, Benjamin
- People
- Tribe of Naphtali
About Naphtali Written by AI
Naphtali was the sixth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:8). 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 to 43). 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 to 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) and the Midianites (Judges 6:35). The tribe also provided skilled warriors to support David (1 Chronicles 12:34) and was known for its wise and articulate people (Judges 5:18; Psalm Judges 68:27). In the New Testament, Naphtali is mentioned in connection with Jesus' ministry in the region of Galilee (Matthew 4:13), 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).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
My wrestling, the fifth son of Jacob. His mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid (Gen. 30:8). When Jacob went down into Egypt, Naphtali had four sons (Gen. 46:24). Little is known of him as an individual.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Genesis 30:8
Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali.
- Genesis 35:25
The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
- Genesis 46:24
The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
- Genesis 49:21
Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
- Exodus 1:4
Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.
- Numbers 1:15
and from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan.”
- Numbers 1:42
From the sons of Naphtali, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
- Numbers 1:43
those registered to the tribe of Naphtali numbered 53,400.
- Numbers 2:29
Next will be the tribe of Naphtali. The leader of the Naphtalites is Ahira son of Enan,
- Numbers 7:78
On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites, drew near.
- Numbers 10:27
and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.
- Numbers 13:14
from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
- Numbers 26:48
These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni,
- Numbers 26:50
These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.
- Numbers 34:28
and Pedahel son of Ammihud, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”
- Deuteronomy 27:13
And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
- Deuteronomy 33:23
Concerning Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”
- Deuteronomy 34:2
all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea,
- Joshua 19:32
The sixth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Naphtali:
- Joshua 19:39
This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Naphtali, including these cities and their villages.
- Joshua 20:7
So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
- Joshua 21:6
The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
- Joshua 21:32
And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.
- Judges 1:33
Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.
- Judges 4:6
She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Surely the LORD, the God of Israel, is commanding you: ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, taking with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.
- Judges 4:10
where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.
- Judges 5:18
Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.
- Judges 6:35
Calling them to arms, Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, as well as Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they came up to meet him.
- Judges 7:23
Then the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.
- 1 Kings 4:15
Ahimaaz in Naphtali (he had married Basemath, a daughter of Solomon);
- 1 Kings 7:14
He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.
- 1 Kings 15:20
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth.
- 2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.
- 1 Chronicles 2:2
Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.
- 1 Chronicles 6:76
And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Chronicles 7:13
The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum—the descendants of Bilhah.
- 1 Chronicles 12:34
From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear.
- 1 Chronicles 12:40
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 27:19
over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel;
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.