from פָּתַל; properly, wrestled; but used (in the plural) transitively, a struggle; wrestling.
Transliteration:naphtûwl
Pronunciation:naf-tool'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term naphtûwl (`{{H5319}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb pāthal (`{{H6617}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to twist, wrestle, or struggle." Naphtûwl specifically denotes the act or state of "wrestling" or "struggle." The base definition highlights its proper sense as "wrestled," but notes its usage in the plural to signify "a struggle" or "wrestling" in a more abstract or intensified sense. The underlying concept of "twisting" from its root verb suggests an entanglement, a strenuous effort, or a complex and arduous contention, whether physical or metaphorical. This word encapsulates the idea of intense, often prolonged, striving against an opposing force or circumstance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term naphtûwl (`{{H5319}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the poignant narrative of Rachel's struggle for fertility:
* **[[Genesis 30:8]]**: "Then Rachel said, 'With great wrestlings (נַפְתּוּלֵי אֱלֹהִים) have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed.' So she named him Naphtali."
* In this sole instance, naphtûwl appears in the plural construct form, naphtûlê 'ĕlōhîm, which literally translates to "wrestlings of God." This idiomatic expression, where "Elohim" serves as a superlative, signifies "mighty wrestlings" or "great wrestlings."
* The context is Rachel's deep emotional and spiritual anguish over her barrenness and her intense rivalry with her sister Leah, who had borne children. Her "wrestling" was not a physical contest but a profound, internal, and relational struggle for status, fulfillment, and the divine blessing of offspring.
* Rachel's declaration acknowledges the intensity and significance of her struggle, attributing a divine dimension to it. It suggests that her striving was not merely human but was either empowered by God, recognized by God, or perhaps even part of God's mysterious plan. The naming of Naphtali thus becomes a perpetual memorial to this profound, divinely-implicated struggle.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for naphtûwl (`{{H5319}}`) is its root verb:
* **pāthal (`{{H6617}}`)**: "to twist, wrestle, struggle, be perverse." This verb directly informs the meaning of naphtûwl, emphasizing the strenuous, often contorted, nature of the struggle.
Other related concepts and words, though not always etymologically linked, share thematic resonance:
* **Naphtali (נַפְתָּלִי)**: The proper noun for the son born to Bilhah (Rachel's handmaid), named by Rachel. The name itself is derived from naphtûwl, serving as a direct linguistic and conceptual echo of Rachel's "mighty wrestlings."
* **śārāh (שָׂרָה)**: The verb used in Jacob's wrestling encounter at Peniel, as in wayyē'ābēq 'immō ("and he wrestled with him") in [[Genesis 32:24]]. While a different verb, it describes a similar act of physical and spiritual contention, highlighting the biblical motif of wrestling with divine beings or divine will.
* **rîḇ (`{{H7378}}`)**: "strife, contention, dispute." This noun often describes verbal or legal disputes, capturing the broader idea of conflict.
* **māṣûth (`{{H4683}}`)**: "contention, strife." Similar to rîḇ, it speaks to the concept of conflict.
* The broader biblical theme of human struggle, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity, often seen as a form of "wrestling" with God's will or challenging circumstances.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of naphtûwl (`{{H5319}}`) in [[Genesis 30:8]] carries significant theological weight. It profoundly illustrates the human experience of intense, personal struggle within the context of divine providence. Rachel's "mighty wrestlings" (נַפְתּוּלֵי אֱלֹהִים) elevate her personal anguish to a divinely acknowledged and perhaps divinely empowered contest. This suggests:
* **God's Presence in Struggle**: The phrase implies that God is not absent from human suffering and striving, but rather intimately involved or observing these intense personal battles. Rachel's cry is an acknowledgement that her barrenness and the subsequent rivalry were part of a larger divine drama.
* **The Nature of Faith as Struggle**: The biblical narrative frequently portrays faith not as a serene ascent, but as a strenuous wrestling. Jacob's encounter at Peniel (though using a different verb) is the quintessential example. Rachel's naphtûlîm mirrors this, depicting faith as active engagement, a striving for divine promises amidst human limitations and frustrations.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency**: Rachel's struggle highlights the tension between God's sovereign plan (e.g., the promise of numerous descendants) and human agency, desire, and suffering. Her "wrestling" is a testament to her fervent desire to participate in the fulfillment of the covenant, even through desperate means.
* **The Significance of Naming**: The naming of Naphtali serves as a theological marker, embedding the memory of a profound spiritual and emotional struggle into the very identity of one of Israel's tribes. It suggests that even in struggle, there can be prevailing and ultimately, divine blessing.
### Summary
Naphtûwl (`{{H5319}}`) is a rare but potent Hebrew term, derived from the root pāthal (`{{H6617}}`) meaning "to twist" or "wrestle." It denotes an intense "struggle" or "wrestling." Its singular occurrence in [[Genesis 30:8]] is deeply significant, where Rachel declares, "With great wrestlings (נַפְתּוּלֵי אֱלֹהִים) have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed," naming her son Naphtali. This instance powerfully portrays a profound, divinely-implicated human struggle—not merely physical, but emotional and spiritual—for fulfillment and divine blessing. Theologically, naphtûwl underscores God's presence in human adversity, the active nature of faith as a form of wrestling, and the enduring legacy of such struggles in the biblical narrative.
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