Nephtali (region)
Territory assigned to the sixth of the 12 tribes of Israel. It practically corresponds to the territory of Galilee.
Description[edit | edit source]
Having frequently traveled through Galilee, Jesus naturally crosses the territory of Nephtali. This is the case, for example, when coming from Gherghesa, and going with the apostles to Giscala, He answers the question of Gamaliel:
"'May I ask You where You are going?'
'It is a pleasure for Me to tell you. I am coming from Naphtali and I am going to Giscala.'
'On foot? But it is a hard and long road along these mountains. You are tiring Yourself too much.'"[1]
Nephtali is also mentioned in biblical references, such as this one taken from Isaiah:[2]
"Exult, O people of Hauran! Exult in the joy of knowledge. Truly it refers also to you and to your neighbouring peoples, when the Prophet sings that your camels and dromedaries will crowd the streets of Naphtali and Zebulun to worship the true God [...]"[3]
Its name[edit | edit source]
"Nephtali" (or "Nephthali" in English) is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This name comes from the Hebrew נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali), which means "my struggle" or "I struggle". This name is derived from the biblical story in the Book of Genesis,[4] where Rachel, Jacob’s wife, in rivalry with her sister Leah, gave birth to a son whom she named Naphtali.
Where is it mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
Learn more about this place[edit | edit source]
Nephtali was the sixth of the twelve tribes of Israel.[5] A strip of land about 80 km long and 20 km wide was assigned to it, practically corresponding to Galilee, bounded on the east by the Jordan River, and on the west by the territory of the tribe of Asher.
Explore[edit | edit source]
- 33° 03’ 29’’ N / 35° 31’ 58’’ E /
- -200m/+850m
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
Article partially based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel by Jean-François Lavère.
- ↑ GRM 160.2. Let us emphasize, notes Jean-François Lavère, that according to several authors, Giscala belonged to the tribe of Asher, therefore outside Nephtali, which sheds light on Jesus' words to Gamaliel.
- ↑ See Isaiah 8,23 and Isaiah 60,6-7.
- ↑ GRM 293.5.
- ↑ Genesis 30,8.
- ↑ Joshua 19,32-39.