Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
Ver. 21. Naphtali is a hind let loose.] Swift of foot; and which, when it flieth, looketh behind it, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast on Song of Solomon 8:14. This was fulfilled in Barak of this tribe, who "went up on his feet" against Sisera's iron chariots, Judges 4:6 ; Judges 4:10 ; Jdg 4:15-16 which were first a terror, and afterwards a scorn, as Vegetius a saith of chariots, armed with scythes and hooks. Origen observes, that in all the victories God gave his people in Canaan, he never used the help of horses. The adversaries, both Egyptians and Canaanites, had chariots and horses: not so Israel. A horse is a warlike creature, full of terror, Job 39:19 Pro 21:31 so swift, that the Persians, as Pausanias b hath it, dedicates him to their god the sun; as the swiftest creature, to the swiftest god. But what saith David? "A horse is a vain thing for safety." Psa 33:17 And to the same purpose, Solomon: "A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but," when all is done, "salvation is of the Lord." Pro 21:31 This, Barak, with his friend Deborah, found, and celebrated in that famous song. Jdg 5:1-31
He giveth goodly words.] In the aforesaid song, Christ also began to utter his words of grace in the land of Naphtali. Mat 4:13 And this is the reason, that as, of the children by Leah's side, Judah obtained the first place among those that were sealed, Rev 7:5 because Christ sprang of him; so, of those on Rachel's side, Naphtali is first named, because there he dwelt at Capernaum where he had hired a house and preached, ut ubique superemineat Christi praerogativa, saith a learned interpreter, c Compare with this text Deuteronomy 33:23, and then observe, that good words do ingratiate with God and men.
a Veget., lib. i. cap. 24.
b ωαπερ ταχιστον τω ταχυρατω θεων. - Paus.
c Medes, in Apocalyps.