Deuteronomy 33:23

Verse Deuteronomy 33:23. 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, Matthew 4:13; Matthew 4:15. Christ's chief residence was at Capernaum in this tribe, Matthew 9:1; Mark 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, Matthew 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.