Deuteronomy 33:23

And of Naphtali he said.

Naphtali

It may seem to anyone who looks upon a map of Canaan as divided amongst the tribes, that this definition of locality is far enough from corresponding with the facts. Simeon’s lot would better answer to the description here, for he did occupy the southwest corner of the Promised Land; whilst Naphtali’s territory was in the extreme north, and had another tribe, Asher, on its western border. Hence it is probable that the Hebrew word translated “west” should have here another meaning which very frequently belongs to it, and should be rendered “sea,” referring to the well-known sea of Chinnereth, or Gennesaret. This interpretation would agree very happily with the actual boundaries of Naphtali upon the map; for by far the greater portion of this famous lake belonged to the tribe, and its southern border stretched in a right line westward from the sea until it met the frontier of Asher’s lot. The most ancient Jewish interpreters adopt this explanation of the blessing, and point out how well the appearance and resources of Naphtali’s portion justify the enthusiastic language of congratulation which Moses has employed. In the days when they wrote, the plain of Gennesaret and the great inland district of Galilee which stretched northward to the roots of Lebanon, were the most populous and flourishing parts of Palestine. The first fruits were brought to the temple at Jerusalem from Mount Naphtali before they were ripe for gathering anywhere else; so that the men of this tribe were always the first to receive the benediction of Jehovah’s priests upon each new harvest. Solomon drew from this same region the largest supplies of food for the expensive entertainment of his court; and in David’s time, Naphtali, with Zebulun’s aid, was able to feast all Israel abundantly for three days with stores which they brought up to Hebron “on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen.” This was an ample fulfilment in temporal things of the blessing which Moses pronounced upon the tribe. But there is a passage in Isaiah (Isaiah 9:1; comp. Matthew 4:1) which seems to intimate that there was a hidden spiritual reference in the lavish outpouring of “favour” from the Lord of which Naphtali is here assured. The first fruits of Messiah’s ministry were to be vouchsafed to this same highly-favoured region, a city of which, Capernaum, was indeed chosen by the Lord Jesus as His dwelling place for one whole “acceptable year.” Too little, indeed, did the men of Galilee understand their high privilege; and though they might have been satiated with the spiritual blessings which were thus brought to their door, they suffered the day of visitation to pass by them unused. Therefore the failure of their blessing in its highest sense serves now as a warning to the men who have received still better promises from God through Christ. Many of these are ready to boast that they are “full,” and that they “reign as kings,” being “rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing”; yet is there only one substantial ground on which to build these confident professions. In Christ are hid all treasures of spiritual blessing. He who has Christ is more than satisfied, but he who rejects Christ, or who lets Christ dwell near him unrecognised and unappropriated in His great salvation, is empty and beggared, though all riches of corn and wine may be increased to him (1 Corinthians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 3:17). (T. G. Rooke, B. A.)