Nephthalim
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Introduction:
Nephthalim, also known as Naphtali, is 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). The tribe of Nephthalim holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy, with its territory located in the northern part of the Promised Land.

Territory and Geography:
The land allotted to the tribe of Nephthalim is described in Joshua 19:32-39. It was situated in the northern region of Canaan, bordered by the tribes of Asher to the west, Zebulun and Issachar to the south, and the Sea of Galilee to the east. This fertile and strategically important area included key cities such as Kedesh, Hazor, and Beth Shemesh.

Biblical Significance:
Nephthalim is mentioned in several key biblical narratives. During the period of the Judges, Barak, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali, played a crucial role in the defeat of the Canaanite army led by Sisera, under the prophetic guidance of Deborah (Judges 4:6-10). This victory is celebrated in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5).

In the New Testament, the region of Nephthalim gains prominence as part of the area where Jesus conducted much of His ministry. Matthew 4:13-15 references the prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2, highlighting the significance of this region: "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.'"

Prophetic and Eschatological Role:
The tribe of Nephthalim is included in the prophetic blessings given by Jacob and Moses. Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:21 describes Naphtali as "a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns," symbolizing freedom and fruitfulness. Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33:23 speaks of Naphtali's favor and blessing from the Lord: "Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD and is full of His blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake."

In the eschatological vision of Revelation, the tribe of Naphtali is listed among the twelve tribes of Israel, with 12,000 sealed from each tribe (Revelation 7:6). This inclusion signifies the enduring legacy and role of Nephthalim in God's redemptive plan.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The tribe of Nephthalim, like other tribes, experienced periods of faithfulness and apostasy. The northern location made it vulnerable to foreign influences and invasions, including the Assyrian conquest, which led to the exile of many inhabitants (2 Kings 15:29). Despite these challenges, the tribe's legacy is preserved through its contributions to Israel's history and its prophetic significance in the biblical narrative.

Conclusion:
The tribe of Nephthalim, with its rich history and prophetic importance, remains a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine plan throughout the Scriptures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Nephthalim

same as Naphtali

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nephthalim

A form of the name Naphtali. (Job 7:3; Matthew 4:13,15; Revelation 7:6)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NEPHTHALIM

nef'-tha-lim (Matthew 4:13): The Greek form of NAPHTALI (which see).

Greek
3508. Nephthalim -- Naphtali, a tribe of Isr.
... 3507, 3508. Nephthalim. 3509 . ... Naphtali. Of Hebrew origin (Naphtaliy); Nephthaleim
(ie Naphthali), a tribe in Palestine -- Nephthalim. see HEBREW Naphtaliy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3508.htm - 6k
Library

God his Own Interpreter.
... The inhabitants of "the land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim," which embraced
the region of Galilee, in which the larger portion of Christ's ministry was ...
/.../x god his own interpreter.htm

Light for those who Sit in Darkness
... CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "The land of Zabulon, and
the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/light for those who sit.htm

The Springing of the Great Light
... And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the
sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the springing of the great.htm

On Genesis.
... "The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim," etc. ... Gen. xlix.21-26 Nephthalim
is a slender [1170] thing, showing beauty in the shoot. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... Having called a council, the high priests and scribes Annas and Caiaphas and Semes
and Dathaes, and Gamaliel, Judas, Levi and Nephthalim, Alexander and Ja??rus ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life of the World...
... Father, and from the Son, and from the Holy Spirit; about whom I prophesied when
yet alive, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, the people ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 18 o lord.htm

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life of the Dead...
... said: This is the light of the Father, the Son of God, as I predicted when I was
alive upon earth: The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim across Jordan ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 18 o lord 2.htm

Our Lord Jesus Christ Having Wrought in Jud??a Many and Great and ...
... Pilate was procurator in Jerusalem, and Annas and Caiaphas high priests, there came
of the Jews to the chief priests, Judas, Levi, Nephthalim, Alexander, Syrus ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 our lord jesus.htm

Matt. Iv. 12
... Jewish nation by a part of it, nor signifies obscurely all the tribes; mark how
the Prophet distinguishes that place, saying "The land of Nephthalim, by the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xiv matt iv 12.htm

The Disposition of the Tribes in Galilee.
... The country of Samaria contained only two tribes, and those of the brethren, Ephraim
and Manasses: Galilee four, Issachar, Zebulun, Nephthalim, and Asher, and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 62 the disposition of.htm

Thesaurus
Nephthalim (2 Occurrences)
...NEPHTHALIM. nef'-tha-lim (Matthew 4:13): The Greek form of NAPHTALI (which
see). Multi-Version Concordance Nephthalim (2 Occurrences). ...
/n/nephthalim.htm - 7k

Zabulon (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/z/zabulon.htm - 7k

Nephthar

/n/nephthar.htm - 8k

Nephthai

/n/nephthai.htm - 8k

Dwelt (307 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT ...
/d/dwelt.htm - 36k

Borders (104 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/b/borders.htm - 40k

Coast (70 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (KJV WBS). ...
/c/coast.htm - 31k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Nephthalim (2 Occurrences)

Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
(KJV WBS)

Matthew 4:15
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Nephthalim

Related Terms

Nephthai

Nephtoah (2 Occurrences)

Naphthar

Nephthalim (2 Occurrences)

Nephthai
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