Genesis 49:21

NETBible

Naphtali is a free running doe, 1  he speaks delightful words. 2 

NIV ©

"Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

NASB ©

"Naphtali is a doe let loose, He gives beautiful words.

NLT ©

"Naphtali is a deer let loose, producing magnificent fawns.

MSG ©

Naphtali is a deer running free that gives birth to lovely fawns.

BBE ©

Naphtali is a roe let loose, giving fair young ones.

NRSV ©

Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears lovely fawns.

NKJV ©

"Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words.

KJV
Naphtali
<05321>
[is] a hind
<0355>
let loose
<07971> (8803)_:
he giveth
<05414> (8802)
goodly
<08233>
words
<0561>_.
NASB ©
"Naphtali
<5321>
is a doe
<355>
let
<7971>
loose
<7971>
, He gives
<5414>
beautiful
<8233>
words
<561>
.
LXXM
nefyali {N-PRI} stelecov {N-NSN} aneimenon
<447> 
V-RMPNS
epididouv
<1929> 
V-PAPNS
en
<1722> 
PREP
tw
<3588> 
T-DSN
genhmati {N-DSN} kallov {N-NSN}
NET [draft] ITL
Naphtali
<05321>
is a free running
<07971>
doe
<0355>
, he speaks
<05414>
delightful
<08233>
words
<0561>
.
HEBREW
o
rps
<08233>
yrma
<0561>
Ntnh
<05414>
hxls
<07971>
hlya
<0355>
yltpn (49:21)
<05321>
NETBible

Naphtali is a free running doe, 1  he speaks delightful words. 2 

NET Notes

1 tn Heb “a doe set free.”

2 tn Heb “the one who gives words of beauty.” The deer imagery probably does not continue into this line; Naphtali is the likely antecedent of the substantival participle, which is masculine, not feminine, in form. If the animal imagery is retained from the preceding line, the image of a talking deer is preposterous. For this reason some read the second line “the one who bears beautiful fawns,” interpreting אִמְרֵי (’imre) as a reference to young animals, not words (see HALOT 67 s.v. *אִמֵּר).

2 sn Almost every word in the verse is difficult. Some take the imagery to mean that Naphtali will be swift and agile (like a doe), and be used to take good messages (reading “words of beauty”). Others argue that the tribe was free-spirited (free running), but then settled down with young children.