Naphtali
- Dates
- 1703–1605 BC
Name means "wrestling." He is the fifth son of Jacob through Rachel's handmaid Bilhah and is so named because Rachel "wrestled" with her sister over having children and prevailed.
In detail
A son of Jacob and of Rachel's maid—servant Bilhah. The name was given him by Rachel to indicate how she had "wrestled" in contest with her sister to obtain a child as a mark of God's favor (Gen 30:7, 8). He was the father of four sons and the ancestor of the tribe that bore his name (Gen 46:24 Num 26:48, 49).
Bible passages
- Genesis 30:7-8
7 And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
Text of the King James Version.