Genesis 49:21 kjv

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

Genesis 49:21 nkjv

"Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words.

Genesis 49:21 niv

"Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49:21 esv

"Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49:21 nlt

"Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 21 Meaning

Genesis 49:21 is a prophetic blessing spoken by Jacob over his son Naphtali, characterizing his future tribe. It portrays Naphtali as swift and free-ranging like a released doe, implying agility and quickness. The latter part of the verse suggests that this tribe would be known for uttering "beautiful words," indicative of pleasant speech, eloquence, wisdom, or potentially poetic and prophetic expressions.

Genesis 49 21 Context

This verse is part of Jacob's final blessings and prophecies to his twelve sons, delivered just before his death in Egypt (Gen 49:1-27). These prophetic utterances provide insights into the future characteristics, destiny, and geographical allocations of each of the Israelite tribes. For Naphtali, Jacob's prophecy is brief but vivid, encapsulating two primary images that describe the tribe's nature and possibly its territory and contribution to Israel. This patriarch's dying words are seen as a spiritual testament, shaping the understanding of the tribes through subsequent biblical narrative and history.

Genesis 49 21 Word analysis

• Naphtali (נפתלי Naphtali): The Hebrew name Naphtali means "my wrestling" or "my struggle," as named by Rachel after her struggle with Leah (Gen 30:8). In this prophecy, however, the focus shifts from the struggle of his birth to a characteristic related to speed and speech, showing that the tribe's destiny goes beyond its personal naming history.
• is a doe (אילה ’ayalah): Refers to a female deer, specifically a gazelle or hind. This animal symbolizes grace, swiftness, agility, beauty, and often, a peaceful or elegant demeanor. The imagery suggests freedom of movement and light-footedness, without the aggression implied by animals like a wolf or lion.
• let loose (שלחה sheluchah): The participle "let loose" or "sent forth" emphasizes freedom and unconstrained movement. A "let loose doe" would have ample space to roam, implying a spacious or fertile territory. It also signifies rapid action or an unhindered pace.
• he utters (הנותן ha-noten): This participle literally means "the one giving" or "he who yields." In this context, it implies production or expression, transitioning from physical swiftness to an act of verbal delivery or communication. It sets up the following phrase.
• beautiful words (אמרי-שפר ’imrei-shepher): ’Imrei means "words of," "sayings of." Shepher means "beauty," "goodness," "fairness," "excellency." Combined, imrei-shepher can be translated as "beautiful words," "goodly words," "pleasant speech," "eloquent words," or even "excellent sayings." This phrase suggests a characteristic of eloquence, wisdom, pleasing discourse, or even prophetic speech. It may refer to poetic ability (like Deborah's song from Naphtali) or generally delightful communication.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Naphtali is a doe let loose: This phrase paints a picture of Naphtali as nimble, swift, and free. It evokes imagery of an agile tribe that could traverse its territory quickly, perhaps demonstrating speed in military campaigns (like Barak from Naphtali leading forces swiftly) or indicating a broad, unconstricted land. The idea of "let loose" also implies being unburdened, flourishing without restriction, perhaps in a verdant, fertile region that allowed their rapid expansion and movement.
• he utters beautiful words: This shifts from physical attributes to intellectual or verbal ones. It points to a capacity for pleasant, persuasive, or profound speech. This could manifest as wisdom, the delivery of good counsel, or the composition of poetry and song (as seen in the Song of Deborah and Barak, where Barak was from Naphtali). Some interpretations connect this "uttering" with the production of "goodly branches/offspring," especially if the root shepher is linked to fertility, but the dominant understanding points to communication. It implies a tribe known not just for its physical traits but also for its contributions through language.

Genesis 49 21 Bonus section

While "beautiful words" predominantly refers to speech, some interpretations suggest it could refer to "beautiful offspring" or the produce of a rich land. However, the immediate context of "he utters" (הנותן) lends strong support to verbal expression. The connection of the doe with fertile land also relates to the idea of a tribe dwelling in a desirable location that supports such abundance and freedom. The duality of this prophecy—combining physical agility with intellectual or spiritual eloquence—makes Naphtali a tribe uniquely distinguished among Jacob's sons. Their later historical role as a frontier tribe, defending against northern invasions and maintaining zeal for God, aligns with the "doe let loose" imagery, and their land being the location for the Messiah's initial public ministry reinforces the concept of their radiating "beautiful words" of divine truth.

Genesis 49 21 Commentary

Jacob's prophecy for Naphtali describes a tribe characterized by graceful swiftness and expressive eloquence. The imagery of "a doe let loose" signifies an agile and unconstrained nature, pointing to Naphtali's ability to act swiftly and inhabit a fertile territory that afforded freedom of movement. Historically, Naphtali's land in upper Galilee, bordering significant routes and being productive, aligns with this imagery. The tribe's involvement in the rapid victory against Sisera under Deborah and Barak (Jdg 4-5), where Naphtali eagerly offered itself, exemplifies this quickness.

The latter part, "he utters beautiful words," introduces a remarkable contrast, focusing on mental or verbal qualities. This phrase indicates that Naphtali would be noted for eloquence, wisdom in speech, pleasant discourse, or possibly poetic and prophetic abilities. This characteristic resonates with the figure of Deborah, a prophetess and singer whose victory song is recorded in Judges 5; although not explicitly of Naphtali, her primary general, Barak, was from Naphtali, suggesting the presence of such capacities within or close to the tribe. The "beautiful words" could also reflect a spirit of gracious communication that wins favor or brings clarity. Ultimately, both aspects portray Naphtali as a tribe not just physically able, but also possessing intellectual or communicative richness. It highlights the tribe's distinct identity within Israel. Notably, the region of Naphtali, "Galilee of the Gentiles," would later become central to Jesus's ministry (Matt 4:13-16), fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 9:1-2) by radiating spiritual light, implicitly through the "beautiful words" of the gospel message originating from within that very territory.