Boy Old & New Testament Very common
Naphtali
that struggles or fights
נַפְתָּלִי Νεφθαλείμ naph.ta.li
Naphtali (Hebrew: נַפְתָּלִי, naph.ta.li) means “that struggles or fights”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 50 verses across 15 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Appears with Ahira in Numbers 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Naphtali
son of Bilhah; son of Jacob; father of Guni
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 50 across 15 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6 | Steady |
| All-time total | 354 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 19 in 2018 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 30:8 |
| Last appears | Revelation 7:6 |
| Cross-references | 531 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Zebulun co-occurrence Appears with Zebulun in Judges 4.
- Asher co-occurrence Appears with Asher in Ezekiel 48.
- Enan co-occurrence Appears with Enan in Numbers 1.
- Ahira co-occurrence Appears with Ahira in Numbers 1.
- Jahzeel co-occurrence Appears with Jahzeel in 1 Chronicles 7.
- Guni co-occurrence Appears with Guni in 1 Chronicles 7.
- Issachar co-occurrence Appears with Issachar in Joshua 21.
- Ammihud co-occurrence Appears with Ammihud in Numbers 34.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A);
brother of: Dan (H1835H);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006)
Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508)
§ Naphtali = "wrestling"
1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel
2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob
3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and second son of Bilhah, was the founder of the Israelite tribe that bore his name.
The biblical story
Naphtali was the sixth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Gen.30.8; 35.25). 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" (Gen.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 (Num.1.15) and was counted among the Israelite tribes in the wilderness (Num.1.42-43; 26.48-50).
In the arrangement of the Israelite camp, Naphtali was positioned on the north side, along with the tribes of Dan and Asher (Num.2.29). The tribe also had representatives among the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan (Num.13.14) and had a designated leader, Pedahel son of Ammihud, during the allocation of the Promised Land (Num.34.28).
The territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali was in the northern part of Canaan, bordering Asher, Zebulun, and Issachar (Jos.19.32-39). 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" (Gen.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" (Deu.33.23).
Throughout Israel's history, the tribe of Naphtali played various roles. They participated in the battles against Sisera (Jdg.4.6, 10; 5.18) and the Midianites (Jdg.6.35; 7.23). The tribe also provided skilled warriors to support David (1Ch.12.34, 40) and was known for its wise and articulate people (Jdg.5.18; Psalm Jdg.68.27).
In the New Testament, Naphtali is mentioned in connection with Jesus' ministry in the region of Galilee (Mat.4.13, 15), fulfilling the prophecy of Isa.9.1. The tribe is also listed among the twelve tribes of Israel sealed by God in the book of Revelation (Rev.7.6).
Key verses
Naphtali appears in 50 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
Genesis 30:8 -
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
Genesis 35:25 -
And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
Genesis 46:24 -
Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
Genesis 49:21 -
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Exodus 1:4
Show all 50 references
Genesis (4)
- Genesis 30:8
- Genesis 35:25
- Genesis 46:24
- Genesis 49:21
Exodus (1)
- Exodus 1:4
Numbers (10)
- Numbers 1:15
- Numbers 1:42
- Numbers 1:43
- Numbers 2:29
- Numbers 7:78
- Numbers 10:27
- Numbers 13:14
- Numbers 26:48
- Numbers 26:50
- Numbers 34:28
Deuteronomy (3)
- Deuteronomy 27:13
- Deuteronomy 33:23
- Deuteronomy 34:2
Joshua (5)
- Joshua 19:32
- Joshua 19:39
- Joshua 20:7
- Joshua 21:6
- Joshua 21:32
Judges (6)
- Judges 1:33
- Judges 4:6
- Judges 4:10
- Judges 5:18
- Judges 6:35
- Judges 7:23
1 Kings (3)
- 1 Kings 4:15
- 1 Kings 7:14
- 1 Kings 15:20
2 Kings (1)
- 2 Kings 15:29
1 Chronicles (7)
- 1 Chronicles 2:2
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
- 1 Chronicles 6:76
- 1 Chronicles 7:13
- 1 Chronicles 12:34
- 1 Chronicles 12:40
- 1 Chronicles 27:19
2 Chronicles (2)
- 2 Chronicles 16:4
- 2 Chronicles 34:6
Psalms (1)
- Psalms 68:27
Isaiah (1)
- Isaiah 9:1
Ezekiel (3)
- Ezekiel 48:3
- Ezekiel 48:4
- Ezekiel 48:34
Matthew (2)
- Matthew 4:13
- Matthew 4:15
Revelation (1)
- Revelation 7:6