Numbers 1:42
Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Original Language Analysis
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נַפְתָּלִ֔י
of Naphtali
H5321
נַפְתָּלִ֔י
of Naphtali
Strong's:
H5321
Word #:
2 of 15
naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
throughout their generations
H8435
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
throughout their generations
Strong's:
H8435
Word #:
3 of 15
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 15
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
7 of 15
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
H8034
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Naphtali received mountainous territory in northern Galilee, bordering the Sea of Galilee. Jacob blessed Naphtali as 'a hind let loose' who 'gives beautiful words' (Genesis 49:21), prophecies whose fulfillment is debated but may relate to the region's later connection to Jesus's teaching ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Naphtali's transformation from border tribe to center of Jesus's ministry demonstrate God's ability to reverse human notions of centrality and importance?
- What does this teach us about trusting God's purposes even when our circumstances seem marginal or peripheral?
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Analysis & Commentary
Naphtali's census reflects God's sovereign organization of the final tribe in this enumeration. The tribe's placement in far northern Galilee would later prove significant when this region, called 'Galilee of the Gentiles' (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15), became central to Jesus's ministry. What seemed like a distant border region in Moses's day became the epicenter of divine revelation when the Word became flesh. This demonstrates that God's purposes transcend human understanding of significance and centrality.