"And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Naphtali Meaning in the Bible
Naphtali
boy
Naphtali means "My wrestling; My struggle", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Naphtali appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 30:8 is the passage most often tied to it. Naphtali transforms struggle into blessing — the land born from wrestling became the cradle of Jesus' ministry, where the great light dawned.
Is Naphtali in the Bible?
Yes — Naphtali appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:8.
Pronunciation:/NAF-tuh-ly/
OriginHebrew
MeaningMy wrestling; My struggle
What does Naphtali mean?
Naphtali is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "My wrestling; My struggle". Naphtali was Jacob's sixth son, born to Bilhah. Rachel named him saying 'with great wrestlings have I wrestled.' The tribe of Naphtali settled in fertile northern Galilee — the very region where Jesus would begin His ministry centuries later.
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What does Naphtali mean in the Bible?
Naphtali means "My wrestling; My struggle" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Naphtali appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Naphtali is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 30:8. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim."
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Which books of the Bible mention Naphtali?
Naphtali is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Naphtali?
Naphtali transforms struggle into blessing — the land born from wrestling became the cradle of Jesus' ministry, where the great light dawned.
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What names are related to Naphtali?
Names like Naphtali
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "My wrestling; My struggle" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Naphtali
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Naphtali
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Naphtali name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Naphtali appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:8.
Naphtali means "My wrestling; My struggle." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 30:8, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Naphtali comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "My wrestling; My struggle." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:8.
Common questions about the name Naphtali
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Naphtali?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Naphtali?
You can read every verse where Naphtali appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.