Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 33:23
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
23. as thou hast freely vowed unto the Lord thy God ] LXX to God.
which thou hast promised, etc.] Attached awkwardly to preceding, and probably a gloss.
24, 25 ( 25, 26). Of Use at Need of Others’ Corn and Fruits. Grapes may be eaten on the spot but none carried away; ears of corn may be plucked with the hand but no sickle shall be used. Sg. with neighbour (not brother). LXX transposes the two vv. Peculiar to D; cp. Deu 24:19-21. The Pharisees flagrantly contradicted not only the spirit of this law, but its very letter, by interpreting plucking as reaping, and because this was work (Deu 33:13) they held it unlawful on the Sabbath (Mat 12:1 ff., Mar 2:23 f., Luk 6:1 ff.). The licence sanctioned here is frequently taken in Syria to-day, and the refusal to grant it regarded as impiety; for Arabia see Doughty, Ar. Des. i. 520 f., ii. 152.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
23 And of Naphtali he said:
Naphtali sated with favour,
And full of the blessing of the Lord,
Sea and South shall he hold.
23. The first two lines reflect the extraordinary fertility of mount Naphtali (Jos 20:7) i.e. Upper Galilee between the Lake on the E. and the territory of Asher on the W., ‘an undulating tableland arable and everywhere tilled, with swelling hills covered with shrubs and trees’ (Robinson); along with the still more exuberantly fertile plain of Gennesaret ( HGHL, 417 421, 446 f. with citations in proof from Josephus, etc.).
satisfied with favour ] Cp. Psa 145:16.
the sea ] Not the Mediterranean (Sam. the West) but the sea of Kinnreth, Deu 3:17.
the south ] Heb. Darom (so Sam.), a late poetic word, Eze 40:27 f., Job 37:17, LXX , the S.W. wind, a happy conjecture, for no wind brings more moisture to Mount Naphtali. Geddes: South because Naphtali’s land lay S. of that of Dan; Graf and Dillm. the hot land in the deep trench of the Jordan valley and upon the Lake where the vegetation is tropical. Driver: ‘so styled it seems partly in contrast to the main possessions of the tribe (which were farther N.), partly with allusion to the sunny warmth which prevails there’; Berth. emends, ‘the sea and the way of the sea’ ( derek yam), cp. Isa. 8:23.
hold thou ] So Heb. Sam. LXX read he shall hold.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Satisfied with favor – Compare Gen 49:21 and note.
The west and the south – i. e., taking the words as referring not to geographical position but to natural characteristics, the sea and the sunny district. The possession of Naphtali included nearly the whole west coast of the Sea of Galilee, the Lake of Merom, the modern Bahr el Hulch, and the well watered district near the springs of Jordan. It contained some of the grandest scenery and some of the most fertile land in Palestine. Josephus speaks of the shore of Gennesaret as an earthly paradise; and Porter describes it as the garden of Palestine. The modern name for this district, land of good tidings, is significant.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Deu 33:23
And of Naphtali he said.
Naphtali
It may seem to anyone who looks upon a map of Canaan as divided amongst the tribes, that this definition of locality is far enough from corresponding with the facts. Simeons lot would better answer to the description here, for he did occupy the southwest corner of the Promised Land; whilst Naphtalis territory was in the extreme north, and had another tribe, Asher, on its western border. Hence it is probable that the Hebrew word translated west should have here another meaning which very frequently belongs to it, and should be rendered sea, referring to the well-known sea of Chinnereth, or Gennesaret. This interpretation would agree very happily with the actual boundaries of Naphtali upon the map; for by far the greater portion of this famous lake belonged to the tribe, and its southern border stretched in a right line westward from the sea until it met the frontier of Ashers lot. The most ancient Jewish interpreters adopt this explanation of the blessing, and point out how well the appearance and resources of Naphtalis portion justify the enthusiastic language of congratulation which Moses has employed. In the days when they wrote, the plain of Gennesaret and the great inland district of Galilee which stretched northward to the roots of Lebanon, were the most populous and flourishing parts of Palestine. The first fruits were brought to the temple at Jerusalem from Mount Naphtali before they were ripe for gathering anywhere else; so that the men of this tribe were always the first to receive the benediction of Jehovahs priests upon each new harvest. Solomon drew from this same region the largest supplies of food for the expensive entertainment of his court; and in Davids time, Naphtali, with Zebuluns aid, was able to feast all Israel abundantly for three days with stores which they brought up to Hebron on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen. This was an ample fulfilment in temporal things of the blessing which Moses pronounced upon the tribe. But there is a passage in Isaiah (Isa 9:1-2; comp. Mat 4:1) which seems to intimate that there was a hidden spiritual reference in the lavish outpouring of favour from the Lord of which Naphtali is here assured. The first fruits of Messiahs ministry were to be vouchsafed to this same highly-favoured region, a city of which, Capernaum, was indeed chosen by the Lord Jesus as His dwelling place for one whole acceptable year. Too little, indeed, did the men of Galilee understand their high privilege; and though they might have been satiated with the spiritual blessings which were thus brought to their door, they suffered the day of visitation to pass by them unused. Therefore the failure of their blessing in its highest sense serves now as a warning to the men who have received still better promises from God through Christ. Many of these are ready to boast that they are full, and that they reign as kings, being rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing; yet is there only one substantial ground on which to build these confident professions. In Christ are hid all treasures of spiritual blessing. He who has Christ is more than satisfied, but he who rejects Christ, or who lets Christ dwell near him unrecognised and unappropriated in His great salvation, is empty and beggared, though all riches of corn and wine may be increased to him (1Co 3:21-23; 1Co 4:8; Rev 3:17-20). (T. G. Rooke, B. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 23. O Naphtali, satisfied with favour] Though this may refer to the very great fertility of the country that fell to this tribe, yet certainly something more is intended. Scarcely any of the tribes was more particularly favoured by the wondrous mercy and kindness of God, than this and the tribe of Zebulun. The light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shone brightly here, Mt 4:13; Mt 4:15-16. Christ’s chief residence was at Capernaum in this tribe, Mt 9:1; Mr 2:1; and this city, through Christ’s constant residence, and the mighty miracles he wrought in it, is represented as being exalted unto heaven, Mt 11:23. And it is generally allowed that the apostles were principally of the tribe of Naphtali, who were to possess the west and the south-to dispense the Gospel through all the other tribes. The word yam, which we here translate west, literally signifies the sea, and probably refers to the sea of Gennesareth, which was in this tribe.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
With favour; either,
1. With Gods favour, as it follows; or,
2. With mens favour or good-will, his carriage being peaceable, courteous, and obliging, as is intimated, Gen 49:21, according to the common translation: see the notes there.
Full with the blessing of the Lord, i.e. seated in a pleasant, and fertile, and happy soil; such as Galilee (in which their share lay) eminently was, as Josephus and others report.
The west and the south, or, the sea and the south. This is not to be understood of the places, that his lot should fall there, for he was rather in the east and north of the land; but of the pleasures and commodities of the west, or of the sea, which were conveyed to him from his neighbour Zebulun; and of the south, i.e. from the southern tribes and parts of Canaan, which were brought to him down the river Jordan, and both sorts of commodities were given him in exchange for the fruits of his rich soil, which he had in great abundance.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. of Naphtali he saidThepleasant and fertile territory of this tribe lay to “the west,”on the borders of lakes Merom and Chinnereth, and to “the south”of the northern Danites.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And of Naphtali he said,…. The tribe of Naphtali, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem:
O Naphtali, satisfied with favour; with the favour of men, which to have is a great blessing; and as he gave goodly words to others, he had the good word of others, Ge 49:21; and with the favour of God, as the next clause shows; which is the greatest blessing of all, and is special and peculiar, free and sovereign, and the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; and to be full of this, and satisfied of an interest in it, is the highest of enjoyments; and nothing is of a more satisfying nature, it is a feast of itself; see
Ps 63:3;
and full with the blessing of the Lord; as such must needs be who are full of and satisfied with the your, good will, and love of God; for they are filled with all spiritual blessings, with all the blessings of grace, which spring from his free favour, as pardon of sin, a justifying righteousness, adoption, sanctifying grace, a right and title to eternal life. This may have respect to the temporal happiness of this tribe, which had a remarkable share in the favour and good will of God, and in the blessings of his goodness. Strabo a, an Heathen writer, speaking of this part of the land of Judea, says it was a happy and fruitful country, bearing all manner of fruit; in this tribe was the fruitful country of Gennesaret, full of delightful gardens and fields, which lay along by a lake of that name, frequently mentioned in the New Testament; which country, Josephus says b, one may call the ambition of nature; and the Targum of Jonathan has it,
“ye shall be full of the fruits of the valley of Gennesaret;”
and particularly this country was favoured with the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; see Mt 4:13;
possess thou the west and the south; not the west and south of the land of Israel; for, according to Josephus c, this tribe lay to the east and north of it, just the reverse; and it is plain from Jos 19:34; that it had Asher on the west, and Zebulun on the south; wherefore some understand this of the commodities this tribe was supplied with, as through the tribe of Asher on the west, on which those trading cities Tyre and Sidon bordered; and through Zebulun on the south, which was near the sea, and was given to navigation and trade: though it should be observed that the word for “west” signifies the “sea” d; and intends not the Mediterranean sea, which this tribe did not reach; but the sea of Tiberias and Gennesaret, as all the Targums explain it; and Bochart e observes, that the portion of Naphtali reached from the south of the city of Dan to the sea of Tiberias; so that the south is observed with respect to Dan last mentioned, and the west or sea to the sea of Tiberias.
a Geograph. l. 16. p. 519. b De Bello Jud. l. 3. c. 9. sect. 8. c Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 22. d “mare”, Montanus, V. L. Cocceius. e Heirozoic. par. 1. l. 3. c. 18. col. 898.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Naphtali. – “ O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full of the blessing of Jehovah; of sea and south shall he take possession.” If the gracefulness of Naphtali is set forth in the blessing of Jacob, by comparing it to a gazelle, here Moses assures the same tribe of satisfaction with the favour and blessing of God, and promises it the possession of the sea and of the south, i.e., an inheritance which should combine the advantages of the sea – a healthy sea-breeze – with the grateful warmth of the south. This blessing is expressed in far too general terms for it to be possible to interpret it historically, as relating to the natural characteristics of the inheritance of the Naphtalites in Canaan, or to regard it as based upon them, apart altogether from the fact, that the territory of Naphtali was situated in the north-east of Canaan, and reached as far as the sea of Galilee, and that it was for the most part mountainous, though it was a very fertile hill-country (Jos 19:32-39). is a very unique form of the imperative, though this does not warrant an alteration of the text.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verse 23:
Naphtali’s blessing pictures the attributes of freedom, grace, blessing, prosperity, and contentment.
The “west” here likely refers to the Mediterranean Sea.
The “south” refers to the lower regions of the Land.
Naphtali’s territory lay in the north of Canaan, and bordered the Sea of Galilee but not the Mediterranean Sea. The terminology is symbolic of riches as from the sea, and warmth and geniality as from the south.
Compare this text with Gen 49:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. And of Naphtali he said. He predicts that God would deal bountifully towards these two tribes; for to the first a fertile district would be allotted towards “the west and the south.” What he declares respecting the tribe of Asher is not free from ambiguity; for he is said to be blessed, מבנים, mibanim, i.e., either with children, or above children. If we prefer the former meaning, his prolificness ( πολυτεκνία) is celebrated, as though it were said, Asher shall be blessed with a numerous progeny. There may, however, be a comparison between this tribe and the others; and this might justly be made to its advantage, because it had a very fertile district allotted to it, and abounding in wheat of the best quality, as the blessing of Jacob testifies,
“
Out of Asher shall bread be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.” (Gen 49:20.)
He adds that “Asher shall be acceptable to his brethren;” from whence we gather that his tribe should be of a placid disposition: and afterwards figuratively celebrates the abundance of his oil, and iron, and brass. For to “dip his foot in oil,” is as much as to say that he should collect an abundant supply of oil; and that “his shoes should be iron and brass,” is nothing more than that he should tread upon a soil full of these metals. It is to be readily inferred from hence, as from preceding passages, that the blessings, which are now mentioned, are not so much wishes or prayers, as prophecies; since without the spirit of prophecy Moses could never have divined what, or what sort of, territory was to be bestowed on the several tribes.
Commentators vary as to the latter words; for some render the word דבא, daba, old age, or, grief, as if there were a transposition of the letters, (325) and thus restrict the meaning of the word “days” to youth; but others more correctly suppose, that Asher was to be strong and vigorous through the whole course of his life. Since, therefore, years gradually debilitate men, Moses promises to the posterity of Asher that their rigor should be retained to the very end of life.
(325) דבא, a word whose root does not occur in Hebrew. The LXX. , and the Chaldee paraphrast, and the Syriac, are unanimous in rendering it strength; but the V. has old age, and those critics, who maintain this to be its meaning, are driven to suppose that it is formed irregularly from דאב — W
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
23. O Naphtali, satisfied with favour In the blessing of Jacob, Naphtali is compared to a gazelle. Here Moses speaks of the tribe as having favour with Jehovah. Josephus says of his heritage that it is rich in land for tillage and pasturage. It is everywhere tilled, no part being allowed to lie idle, and it is everywhere productive.
Full with the blessing of the Lord The territory of this tribe bordered on the lakes Gennesaret and Merom, and extended to the sources of the Jordan. Modern travellers describe it as the most beautiful and fertile portion of Palestine. The depression of the land bordering on Lake Gennesaret makes it productive of tropical fruits the fruits of the south.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 33:23
And of Naphtali he said,
O Naphtali, satisfied (satiated) with favour,
And full with the blessing of Yahweh,
Possess you the west (or ‘the sea’ – yam) and the south (or ‘the south wind’).
Naphtali is to be blessed, satiated with Yahweh’s favour and blessing. Naphtali would later be famous for its olives. They are to possess ‘the west and the south’, or equally possibly ‘the sea and the south wind’ (the same words covered both). Naphtali would in fact be situated in the extreme North of Israel. But we would not expect Moses to refer to specific areas, for he has not done so previously. We should therefore read as ‘the sea and the south wind’. ‘The sea’ would naturally bring to mind at this stage the Mediterranean. The thought is probably of two sources of trouble and distress, the troubled sea (Isa 57:20) and the tempestuous south wind (Isa 21:1). Naphtali would rise above them both.
“The sea (yam).” The sea was mainly looked on in Israel as an enemy, as ‘Yam’ was the enemy of Baal. Thus it could represent trouble and distress. The ‘south wind’ was seen as tempestuous (Isa 21:1; Zec 9:14), especially from the viewpoint of where Moses would be at this time. To possess them would indicate rising above trouble and conquering it.
As it happened Naphtali settled around the lake of Galilee, but that is probably a coincidence. They would then, of course, be able to harvest ‘the sea’.
So Naphtali will prosper through God’s help and will have their share in the possessions to come. The directions are general rather than specific, and may simply indicate prosperity in agriculture and trade, or by tribal expansion. Their expansion may result from their diplomacy, their ‘goodly words’ (Gen 49:21).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 23. And of Naphtali he said Jacob appears to have promised the Naphtalites a delightful country, under the image of a fine spreading tree. And here Moses predicts, in clear terms, that their portion would answer to that figurative description, and withal points out where it would be situated in the Land of Promise; namely, in the country afterwards called Galilee, a part of which fell to the lot of this tribe, and which is allowed to have been extremely fertile. See Gen 15:21.
REFLECTIONS.The blessing of Naphtali is rich, indeed! satisfied with favour, happy in the regards of his brethren, and more happy still in the love and favour of God, which is the fountain of all blessedness; full of the blessing of the Lord, not only enriched with a temporal provision, but blessed with the richer mercies of the covenant of grace. Possessed of the west, or rather as the word signifies, the sea of Gennesaret, which was its border, and the south, from the tribe of Dan. The favour of God’s people is a singular mercy, but the favour of God himself is that which can alone fully satisfy the soul.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
There is much of gospel in this blessing of Naphtali. And no doubt, Moses had an eye to spiritual things in his prophecy of it. And what is it to be full with the blessing of JEHOVAH, but, in his three-fold character of Person, to enjoy the FATHER’s love, the Redeemer’s grace, and the HOLY GHOST’s fellowship? Reader! may it be your portion and mine, to have this fulness, and we shall then possess a Naphtali’s portion. It may not be unacceptable to the Reader, to add, that Capernaum, of which we hear so much in our LORD’S days, belonged to Naphtali.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
Ver. 23. Satisfied with favour, and full, &c. ] Fulness of blessing is then only a mercy, when the soul of a man is satisfied with favour: when from a full table and a cup running over, a man can comfortably infer with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psa 23:6 One may have outward things by God’s providence, and not out of his favour. Esau had the like blessing as Jacob, but not with a “God give thee the dew of heaven,” as he. Gen 27:28 Or, God may give temporals to wicked men, to furnish their indictment out of them; as Joseph put his cup into their sack to pick a quarrel with them, and to lay theft to them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 33:23
23Of Naphtali he said,
O Naphtali, satisfied with favor,
And full of the blessing of the Lord,
Take possession of the sea and the south.
Deu 33:23 Take possession of the sea and the south The VERB (BDB 439, KB 441, Qal IMPERATIVE) is used several times in Deuteronomy for Israel to possess the land (cf. Deu 1:8; Deu 1:21; Deu 1:39; Deu 2:24; Deu 2:31; Deu 9:23; Deu 11:31; Deu 17:14; Deu 26:1). It implies a taking by force and securing it as a permanent inheritance.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Naphtali. Compare Gen 49:21, and Jos 19:32-39.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
O: Gen 49:21, Psa 36:8, Psa 90:14, Isa 9:1, Isa 9:2, Jer 31:14, Mat 4:13, Mat 4:16, Mat 11:28
possess: Jos 19:32-39
Reciprocal: Gen 30:8 – and she Gen 46:24 – Naphtali Jos 19:34 – turneth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 33:23. Satisfied with favour With the favour of God. That only is the favour that satisfies the soul. They are happy indeed that have the favour of God; and they shall have it that place their satisfaction in it. And full with the blessing of the Lord Not only with corn, wine, and oil, the fruit of the blessing, but with the blessing itself, the grace of God, according to his promise and covenant. Possess thou the west and the south Or, the sea and the south, as the Hebrew word is; not the midland sea, and the south of Canaan. For, according to Josephus, with whom all the Jewish writers agree, this tribe possessed the east and the north of the country, in Upper Galilee; but the sea of Gennesaret, or Tiberias, which was its border on one side, and the south from the last-mentioned tribe, namely, that of Dan.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou {p} the west and the south.
(p) Meaning, near the sea.