Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 33:23
Concerning Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the tribes of Israel shortly before his death, delivering a final prophetic blessing over each tribe. This verse specifically pronounces a declaration over the tribe of Naphtali.
The words — The Hebrew שָׂבֵעַ (sa.Ve') and מָלֵא (ma.Le') denote being satisfied or full, paired with רָצוֹן (ra.Tzon) for favor. Together they describe Naphtali as overflowing with divine favor and the blessing of Yahweh.
The thread — This theme of divine abundance appears in Genesis 49:21 where Naphtali is compared to a doe bearing fawns, and in Psalms 36:8 and Jeremiah 31:14 where God’s people are described as feasting on His abundance and being filled with His goodness.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that tribal inheritance and provision originate from Yahweh’s deliberate blessing rather than human effort. It calls the reader to align their expectations of material and spiritual supply with divine promise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 49:21 Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
- Psalms 36:8 They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.
- Jeremiah 31:14 I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.
- Matthew 4:16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
- Matthew 4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
- Joshua 19:32 The sixth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Naphtali:
- Psalms 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
- Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
- Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.