Topical Bible: Tribe of Naphtali: Military Operations of

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The Tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:7-8). The tribe's inheritance was located in the northern region of Canaan, a territory characterized by its fertile lands and strategic position. Throughout biblical history, the Tribe of Naphtali played a significant role in various military operations, often demonstrating valor and strategic prowess.

Conquest of Canaan

During the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, the Tribe of Naphtali was assigned a portion of land in the northern part of the Promised Land (Joshua 19:32-39). Although the initial conquest was successful, the tribe faced challenges in fully driving out the Canaanite inhabitants. Judges 1:33 notes, "Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but they lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them."

The Era of the Judges

The Tribe of Naphtali is prominently featured in the narrative of Deborah and Barak, as recorded in Judges 4-5. Under the oppression of Jabin, king of Canaan, and his commander Sisera, the Israelites cried out for deliverance. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, summoned Barak from Kedesh in Naphtali, instructing him to lead an army against Sisera. Judges 4:6-7 records Deborah's command: "Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: ‘Go, march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude, to the River Kishon, and I will deliver him into your hand.’"

Barak, with the support of ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun, achieved a decisive victory over Sisera's forces, aided by a divinely orchestrated storm that rendered the enemy's chariots ineffective. This victory is celebrated in the Song of Deborah, which highlights the bravery of the warriors from Naphtali: "Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield" (Judges 5:18).

The Monarchical Period

During the reign of King David, the Tribe of Naphtali contributed to the consolidation of the united monarchy. In 1 Chronicles 12:34, the men of Naphtali are described as valiant warriors who joined David at Hebron: "From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear." This demonstrates their significant military capability and loyalty to the Davidic kingdom.

Under King Solomon, the region of Naphtali was part of the administrative district system, contributing to the kingdom's prosperity and defense. However, following the division of the kingdom, the northern tribes, including Naphtali, became part of the Kingdom of Israel.

Assyrian Invasion and Exile

The military history of Naphtali took a tragic turn during the Assyrian invasions. In 2 Kings 15:29, the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III captured the region of Naphtali, leading to the exile of its inhabitants: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried them captive to Assyria." This marked the end of Naphtali's independent military operations and its integration into the Assyrian Empire.

Throughout its history, the Tribe of Naphtali demonstrated both military strength and strategic importance, contributing to the defense and expansion of Israel during key periods. Their legacy is marked by moments of great faith and courage, as well as the challenges of foreign domination and exile.

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1 Chronicles 12:34,40
And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
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Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... they came in time to form a tribe by themselves ... unfitted, as to their numbers, their
military organisation, and ... The scene of operations, while it had long been ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... their lives unto the death,"and Naphtali upon the ... families which constituted the
half-tribe of Manasseh ... who were unrivalled in military operations at this ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... districts, and by thus restricting each tribe to a ... a twofold function, religious
and military, the priest at ... not be combined in such general operations as were ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm