Naphtali
Naphtali in the Bible — sixth-born son of Jacob (GEN 30:7), son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. Naphtali belonged to the tribe of Naphtali. Referenced in 24 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “that struggles or fights”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Tribe
- Naphtali
- Scripture References
- 24 references
- Known Names
- 1 name
- Relationships
- 23 connections
Biography
Naphtali is a male figure in the Bible, recognized as the sixth-born son of Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. He is the eponymous ancestor of the tribe of Naphtali. His birth and lineage are significant within the patriarchal narratives of Genesis.
Names & Titles
The name Naphtali means 'wrestling' in Hebrew, reflecting the circumstances surrounding his birth as described in Genesis. This name was given by Rachel and is not indicated as directly given by God.
Family
Naphtali is the son of Jacob and Bilhah, making him a half-brother to the other sons of Jacob by Leah, Rachel, and Zilpah. His brothers include Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin, as well as his sister Dinah. Additionally, he is related to Jahzeel, inferred as a father figure in the genealogies.
Significance
Naphtali holds a place in the biblical narrative as a patriarch whose lineage became one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Naphtali settled in the northern region of Galilee, an area later significant in the ministry of Jesus Christ. This connection fulfills prophetic scripture emphasizing the coming of light to this region, underscoring Naphtali's role in God's redemptive plan through his descendants.
Key Events
Names & Labels (1)
- Hebrew
- נַפְתָּלִֽי
- Transliteration
- nafətaliy
- Meaning
- wrestling
- Greek
- Νεφθαλι
- Reference
- GEN 30:8
- Strong's
- H5321
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naphtali in the Bible?
Naphtali is a male figure in the Bible, recognized as the sixth-born son of Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. He is the eponymous ancestor of the tribe of Naphtali. His birth and lineage are significant within the patriarchal narratives of Genesis.
What does the name Naphtali mean?
The name Naphtali means “that struggles or fights” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.