The 12 Tribes of Israel Collection
Naphtali from the 12 Tribes of Israel
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Naphtali - The Free Spirit“With Divine bonds I have been joined.” (Gen. 30:8)
Rachel named Bilhah’s second child Naphtali, a name that symbolizes a connection that is attained through struggle. This painting takes us to the tribe of Naphtali’s portion of the land in the Galilee, overlooking the Sea of Galilee in the northern part of Israel. In the distance is Mt. Hermon, from which snow and rain water flow to feed the Sea of Galilee and the rest of the Land of Israel with fresh water via the national water carrier as far as the southern Negev. Water is a connecting force in the Land, as it is within our own bodies, carrying vitality and sustenance with it.
The reds and yellows of the landscape reflect the tribe’s gemstone of agate. |
Detailed Explanation
- Essential Quality - Connection
- Birth Mother - Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant
- Birth Order - Eighth
- Mother's Naming - And Rachel said, "Sacred schemes have I maneuvered to equal my sister, and I have also prevailed!" And she called his name Naphtali. (Genesis, 30:8)
- Landscape - A view of the Sea of Galilee looking north up the Jordan river towards Mount Hermon and Mount Arbel and Safad on the left slopes.
- Gemstone - Agate
- Father (Jacob) Blessing - "Naphtali is a hind let loose who delivers beautiful sayings." (Genesis, 49:21)
- Kabbalah - Naphtali is the free spirit personality. Like a ‘deer running free’ – breaking out of the status quo – independence is a necessary component in growth. Yet, this free spiritedness must always take care to ‘deliver words of beauty.’ (Jacobson, Simon from Twelve Tribes - Twelve Paths) Thus, water flows freely from the lush mountains and rivers in the north of Israel into the Sea of Galilee. It is at this point that water is harnessed and delivered via the Israel's National Water Carrier to all of Israel, as far south as the Negev. Just like this vital component of life flows to all of Israel through natural and man-made channels, one is sustained spiritually by connecting with Divine energy within and above through prayer.