Genesis 49:21

Naphtali is a hind let loose,.... Onkelos applies it to the tribe itself, and to the goodness of its land, "as for Naphtali, his lot fell in a good land, and his inheritance a fruit bearing one,'' as

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words , [ 'ayaalaah (H355) shªluchaah (H7971)] - a hind stretched out; i:e., slender in form: [

A hind let loose; not pursued by hunters, nor shut up in some little enclosure, but wholly left to its own freedom, to feed upon the best pastures: see . Or, free from the yoke which they, together with the other tribes, did bear in Egypt; free from its former restraints, which make it run away more swiftly. So it may note their nimbleness and expedition, either in encountering enemies, or in avoiding dangers. See ,10 5:18. Or, like a tame hind left to its liberty, in which the owner takes delight, as ; for he seems to be commended rather for arts of peace than war. And this may note, that his temper and Conversation was civil, obliging, and amiable; which sense the next words favour. His speeches and discourses with others are fair, and friendly, and winning. It is not strange that this tribe was generally of a sweeter disposition than others, seeing it is commonly observed that there is a great difference in the tempers of people of divers provinces or cities bordering one upon another. But this verse may be otherwise rendered according to the opinion of a late learned writer: Naphtali is a tree (so the Hebrew word signifies, only jod is inserted here, as it is in the same word, 61:3) shot forth, or spread forth, ( into many branches; for the Hebrew verb shalach is oft used concerning trees, and their shooting forth of branches, as 31:5) sending forth goodly branches; the word imre, which is by others rendered words, here signifying branches, as either the same word, or one coming from the same root, and consisting of the same radical letters, is taken ,9. And it is usual in the Hebrew language for two words coming from the same root to exchange their significations. And this interpretation is favoured by the ancient interpreters, the LXX., and one of the Arabic manuscripts, which make Naphtali here to be compared to a goodly tree bringing forth excellent fruit.

Genesis 49:21 Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.Ver. 21. Naphtali is a hind let loose.] Swift of foot; and which, when it flieth, looketh behind it, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast on Son 8:14. This was fulfilled in Barak of this tribe, who "went up on his feet" against Sisera’ s iron chariots, which were first a terror, and afterwards a scorn, as Vegetius saith of chariots, armed with scythes and hooks. Origen observes, that in all the victories God gave his people in Canaan, he never used the help of horses. The adversaries, both Egyptians and Canaanites, had chariots and horses: not so Israel. A horse is a warlike creature, full of terror, so swift, that the Persians, as Pausanias hath it, dedicates him to their god the sun; as the swiftest creature, to the swiftest god. But what saith David? "A horse is a vain thing for safety." And to the same purpose, Solomon: "A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but," when all is done, "salvation is of the Lord." This, Barak, with his friend Deborah, found, and celebrated in that famous song. He giveth goodly words.] In the aforesaid song, Christ also began to utter his words of grace in the land of Naphtali. And this is the reason, that as, of the children by Leah’ s side, Judah obtained the first place among those that were sealed, because Christ sprang of him; so, of those on Rachel’ s side, Naphtali is first named, because there he dwelt at Capernaum where he had hired a house and preached, ut ubique superemineat Christi praerogativa, saith a learned interpreter, Compare with this text Deuteronomy 33:23, and then observe, that good words do ingratiate with God and men. Veget., lib. i. cap. 24. ωαπερταχιστοντωταχυρατωθεων. - Paus. Medes, in Apocalyps.

(21) Naphtali.—Gad had been described as moving slowly in war, and allowing himself to be surprised by hordes of plunderers, whom, nevertheless, as soon as he has collected his forces, he repels and pursues with vigour. Naphtali, on the contrary, is light and active, moving rapidly like “a hind let loose;” or, literally, sent forth, like the scouts or van of an army. And thus he brings back “goodly words”—Heb., words of pleasure—that is, trustworthy intelligence to guide the army in its motions. Another translation has been proposed, which has the support of the LXX.: “Naphtali is a spreading terebinth, which shoots forth goodly branches.” It retains the consonants of the Hebrew text, but gives them different vowels.

21. Naphtali] It is doubtful whether the simile applied to this tribe is that of “a hind” or “a terebinth tree.” The comparisons in the song are for the most part taken from animals, e.g. the lion of Judah, the ass of Issachar, the serpent of Dan, the wolf of Benjamin. On the other hand, Joseph is compared to a vine. a hind let loose] Lat. cervus emissus, an image of swiftness and grace in movement, associated with the thought of open and extensive country. For the idea of freedom expressed in “let loose,” cf. Job 39:5, “who hath sent out the wild ass free, or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?” He giveth goodly words] A sudden change in the description, referring apparently to the tribe’s reputation for eloquence; but the transition to such a subject seems scarcely probable. The rendering “goodly lambs” is suggested, but the translation “lambs” cannot be supported from the O.T., and gives, at the best, a very prosaic sense. By a different vocalization an entirely different turn is given to the verse. “Naphtali is a tall shoot of terebinth, one that putteth forth goodly topmost branches.” “Topmost branches” would then be metaphorical for “leaders” like Barak (Judges 4:5), but this rendering is very questionable; though it may explain LXX Νεφθαλεὶστέλεχοςἀνειμένονἐπιδιδοὺςἐντῷγεννήματικάλλος.

21. A hind sent forth — The image is that of a beautiful hind or gazelle running loose and in perfect freedom upon its native heights. The agility and prowess of this tribe are nobly celebrated in Deborah’s song.