(Isa. 9:1)
The northern part of Palestine, allotted to Zebulon and Naphtali and bordering on Phoenicia and Syria, was known as the “Galilee of the Nations,” or, Gentiles, because of its mixed population. The manners and customs of the people, and even the dialect spoken became affected by foreign settlers.
(George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, |ed. Philip C. Reynolds, 7 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1955–1961], 1:348.)
When the land of Canaan was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali lay to the west of the Sea of Galilee and formed the northern border of Israel next to the gentile nations of the Galilee… . The land of Naphtali and Zebulun was the first area captured by the Assyrians in the time of Isaiah (see 2 Kgs. 15:29). The phrase “afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations” … probably has reference to a later captivity by Assyria… . The blessing which was to have come to this area, but which had been lost by Israel’s wickedness and subsequent subjection by Assyria, would come through the “light” of Christ as he ministered unto Judah in Galilee, as noted in Matthew.
(Monte S. Nyman, Great Are the Words of Isaiah [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980], 67.)