### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **Nephthaleím**, represented by `{{G3508}}`, is of Hebrew origin and refers to **Nephthalim**, a tribe in Palestine. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible, identifying both a geographical region and a specific lineage within Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G3508}}` is used to establish a key geographical setting for Jesus's ministry. After leaving Nazareth, Jesus dwelt in Capernaum, a city located in the "borders of Zabulon and **Nephthalim**" [[Matthew 4:13]]. This location is further specified as "The **land** of Zabulon, and the **land** of **Nephthalim**, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles" [[Matthew 4:15]]. In Revelation, the name shifts from a location to a people group, identifying the **tribe** of **Nepthalim** as one from which **twelve thousand** were **sealed** [[Revelation 7:6]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context of `{{G3508}}`:
* `{{G2194}}` **Zaboulṓn** (Zabulon): This word identifies a region of Palestine that is consistently mentioned alongside **Nephthalim**, establishing them as neighboring territories central to the start of Jesus's ministry ([[Matthew 4:13]], [[Matthew 4:15]]).
* `{{G5443}}` **phylḗ** (tribe): This term, meaning an offshoot or clan, is used to define **Nepthalim** as one of the distinct tribes of Israel whose members are accounted for in Revelation [[Revelation 7:6]].
* `{{G1056}}` **Galilaía** (Galilee): This word names the broader region of Palestine where the land of **Nephthalim** is located, marking it as the area where Jesus's ministry began [[Matthew 4:15]].
* `{{G4972}}` **sphragízō** (to stamp... for security or preservation): This action is specifically applied to the tribe of **Nepthalim** in Revelation, indicating they are marked for divine security [[Revelation 7:6]].
### Theological Significance
The use of `{{G3508}}` carries significant weight by connecting geography with redemptive history.
* **Ministry's Location:** The identification of the "land of **Nephthalim**" as the starting point of Jesus’s public ministry grounds his work in a specific, historical place within Israel [[Matthew 4:15]].
* **Tribal Identity:** It reinforces the concept of Israel as a collection of distinct tribes, each maintaining its identity throughout the scriptural narrative, from its geographical lands to its eschatological role.
* **Divine Preservation:** The inclusion of the **tribe** of **Nepthalim** among those who are **sealed** highlights its place in God's plan of preservation. The act of sealing **twelve** **thousand** from this tribe signifies its continued importance in the final divine accounting [[Revelation 7:6]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3508}}` is a specific term that functions both geographically and genealogically. In the Gospels, it defines a region in **Galilee** that was central to Jesus's work. In Revelation, it identifies the people of that tribe who are preserved by God. The word illustrates how a specific ancestral line and its associated land are woven into the larger fabric of biblical prophecy and salvation history.
TRV