Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 49:21

21 Naphtali is a hind let loose : he giveth goodly words .

Not pursued by hunters, nor shut up in some little enclosure, but wholly left to its own freedom to seed upon the best pastures; See Deut. 33. 23. Or, free from the yoke, which they, rogether with the other Tribes, did bear in E[illegible: 1+ letters]pt, free from its former restraints, which [illegible: 1+ letters]ke it run away m[illegible: 1+ letters]e swiftly. So it may note their [illegible: 1+ letters]mbleness and expedition either in encountring enemies▪ or in avoiding dangers. See Iudg. 4. 6, 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. and 5. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. Or like a [illegible: 1+ letters]ame hind, left to its liberty; in which the owner takes delight, as Prov. 5. 19. For he seems to be commended rather for arts of Peace, then War. And this may note that his temper and conversation was civil, obliging, and amiable, which sence the next words favour.

His speeches and discourses with others are fair and friendly and winning. It is not strange, that this Tribe was generally of a sweeter disposition than others, seeing it is commonly observed that there is a great difference in the tempers of people of divers Provinces or cities bordering one upon another. But this verse may be otherwise rendred according to the opinion of a late learned writer, Napthali is a tree (so the Hebrew word signifies, onely jod is inserted here, as it is in the same word, Isa. 1. 29. and 61. 3.) shot forth or spread forth, (into many branches: for the Hebrew verb Shalach is oft used concerning trees, and their shooting forth of branches, as Psal. 80. 11. Ezek. 17. 6. and 31. 5.) sending forth goodly branches, the word [illegible: 1+ letters]re, which is by others rendred words, here signifying branches, as either the same word or one coming from the same root and consisting of the same radical Letters is taken Isa. 17. 6, 9. And it is usual in the Hebrew language for two words coming from the same root to exchange their significations. And this interpretation is favoured by the antient Interpreters, the LXX, and one of the Arabick Manuscripts, which make Napthali here to be compared to a goodly tree bringing forth excellent fruit.