Naphtali, eighth son of Jacob, born of Bilhah, was dying in his hundred and thirtieth year. His sons gathered on the first day of the seventh month. He was still in good health. He made them a feast of food and wine. In the morning he said, "I am dying," and they did not believe him. But as he glorified the Lord, he grew strong and declared that after yesterday's feast he would die.
He told them of his birth. Rachel, unable to bear children, had given Bilhah to Jacob in her place. Naphtali was born upon Rachel's knees, and she named him Naphtali. Rachel loved him deeply because he was born upon her lap. When he was young, she would kiss him and say: "May I have a brother of yours from my own womb, like unto you." And so Joseph became like Naphtali in all things, born according to Rachel's prayers.
His mother Bilhah was the daughter of Rotheus, brother of Deborah, Rebecca's nurse, born on the same day as Rachel. Rotheus was of the family of Abraham, a Chaldean, God-fearing, free-born, and noble. Taken captive and bought by Laban, he was given Euna as a wife. She bore first Zilpah, then Bilhah, whose name reflected her nature: she hastened after what was new, for immediately after birth she seized the breast and rushed to suck.
"I was swift on my feet like the deer," Naphtali said, "and my father appointed me for all messages, and as a deer he gave me his blessing" (Genesis 49:21). Then he taught his sons a profound truth about the relationship between body and spirit: "As the potter knows the vessel, how much it is to contain, and brings clay accordingly, so also does the Lord make the body after the likeness of the spirit. And the one does not fall short of the other by a third part of a hair. By weight, and measure, and rule was all creation made."
There is no inclination or thought the Lord does not know, for He created every person after His own image. As a man's strength, so is his work. As his mind, so is his skill. As his purpose, so is his achievement. As his heart, so is his mouth.
Then came the visions.
In the fortieth year of his life, on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, Naphtali saw the sun and the moon standing still. Isaac appeared and said: "Run and lay hold of them, each one according to his strength, and to him that seizes them will the sun and moon belong." All the brothers ran. Levi laid hold of the sun. Judah outstripped the others and seized the moon. Both were lifted up with them. Levi became as a sun, and a young man gave him twelve branches of palm. Judah was bright as the moon, and under their feet were twelve rays. Then a bull appeared on the earth with two great horns and eagle's wings on its back. They tried to seize it but could not. Joseph came, seized it, and ascended on high. A holy writing appeared: "Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Syrians shall possess in captivity the twelve tribes of Israel."
Seven days later, a second vision. Jacob stood by the sea of Jamnia with his sons. A ship approached without sailors or pilot, bearing the inscription: "The Ship of Jacob." They boarded. A violent storm arose, and Jacob, who held the helm, was taken from them. The ship filled with water and broke apart. Joseph fled on a small boat. The rest were scattered on nine planks to the ends of the earth, Levi and Judah together. Levi, girt in sackcloth, prayed for them all. The storm ceased. The ship reached land in peace. Jacob returned, and they all rejoiced.
Jacob interpreted the dreams: "These things must be fulfilled in their season, after Israel has endured many things." And weeping, he said: "Ah me, my son Joseph, you live, though I behold you not, and you see not Jacob that begat you."
Naphtali charged his children: "Be united to Levi and to Judah, for through them shall salvation arise unto Israel. If you work that which is good, both men and angels shall bless you. God shall be glorified through you, and the adversary shall flee from you, and wild beasts shall fear you, and the Lord shall love you."
"Be wise in God, my children, and prudent, understanding the order of His commandments, and the laws of every word, that the Lord may love you." He exhorted them to remove his bones to Hebron. He ate and drank with a merry heart, covered his face, and died. His sons did as he commanded.