Naphtali
Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and second son of Bilhah, was the founder of the Israelite tribe that bore his name.
Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob, born to Rachel's servant Bilhah (Genesis 30:7–8). His name, from a root meaning 'wrestling' or 'twisting,' reflects Rachel's competitive joy—'with mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed' (Genesis 30:8). Jacob's blessing describes Naphtali as 'a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns,' suggesting swiftness and eloquence (Genesis 49:21). The tribe settled in the fertile region of upper Galilee, west of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Isaiah 9:1–2 singles out 'the land of Naphtali' as a region that will see a great light—a prophecy Matthew applies to Jesus's ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:13–16).