SEV Biblia, Chapter 33:23
Y a Neftalí dijo: Neftalí, saciado de buena voluntad, y lleno de la bendición del SEÑOR, hereda el occidente y el mediodía,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:23
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, Matt. iv. 13, 15, 16. Christ's chief residence was at Capernaum in this tribe, Matt. ix. 1; Mark ii. 1; and this city, through Christ's constant residence, and the mighty miracles he wrought in it, is represented as being exalted unto heaven, Matt. xi. 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 µy yam, which we here translate west, literally signifies the sea, and probably refers to the sea of Gennesareth, which was in this tribe.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And of Naphtali he said , etc.] 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, ( Genesis 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 Psalm 63:3,5); 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 f646 , 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 f647 , 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 Matthew 4:13-15 9:1 11:23); possess thou the west and the south ; not the west and south of the land of Israel; for, according to Josephus f648 , this tribe lay to the east and north of it, just the reverse; and it is plain from ( Joshua 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” f649 ; 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 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-23 - The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole trib in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, an desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2Co 5:9 This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritanc close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a preciou gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldl advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthl blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those goo gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the token of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figure of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Hi that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all ou hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoint men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdo and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well please therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the onl favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having i they have enough, and desire no more.
Original Hebrew
ולנפתלי 5321 אמר 559 נפתלי 5321 שׂבע 7649 רצון 7522 ומלא 4392 ברכת 1293 יהוה 3068 ים 3220 ודרום 1864 ירשׁה׃ 3423
