Lexical Definition

‎פְּלֶשֶׁת‎ Pᵉlesheth (pel-eh'-sheth) Philistia ^N:N--L
from ‎פָּלַשׁ‎; rolling, i.e. migratory

Palestina, Palestine, Philistia, Philistines.

• § Philistia = "land of sojourners"
• Pelesheth, a region of Syria

1) the general territory on the west coast of Canaan or the entire country of Palestine

See Greek: ἀλλόφυλος

Extended Information

• Philistia = "land of sojourners"
• Also named: pe.lish.ti (‎פ‎ְּ‎ל‎ִ‎ש‎ְׁ‎ת‎ִּ‎י‎ "Philistine" פְּלִשְׁתִּי)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת‎ proper name, of a territory Philistia, in poetry and late; — ‎(ישְׁבֵי) פְּלָ֑שֶׁת‎ Exod 15:14 (Φυλιστιειμ; elsewhere (οἱ) ἀλλόφυλοι), Joel 4:4*, elsewhere ‎פְּלֶשֶׁת‎ Isa 14:29; Isa 14:31; Ps 60:10* = Ps 108:10*; Ps 83:8*; Ps 87:4 Assyrian Palastu, Pilistu, COT^{Gen 10:14} Dl^{pa 288 f.} Greek Παλαιστίνη Herod^{ii. 104, 106, vii. 89} Jos^{Ant. «JOSEPHUS:Antiquities 1:6»i. 6}. 2 (also Φυλιστίνου); see Rel^{Pal. 73 f}.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Philistia • An ancient people and region in Canaan

The Philistines were a powerful people who inhabited the coastal plain of Canaan and were often in conflict with the Israelites during the period of the judges and early monarchy.

• A location first mentioned at Gen.21.32;
• referred to as Philistia פְּלֶשֶׁת, or Philistine or Philistia פְּלִשְׁתִּי.
  

The Philistines were an ancient people who lived in the coastal plain of Canaan, primarily in the region known as Philistia, which corresponds to the modern-day Gaza Strip and the southern coast of Israel. They are first mentioned in the Bible during the time of Abraham (Gen. 21:32, 34) and Isaac (Gen. 26:1, 8, 14-15, 18). The Philistines were not part of the original inhabitants of Canaan and are believed to have migrated from the Aegean region, possibly as part of the Sea Peoples' movement in the 12th century BC.

Throughout the period of the judges and the early monarchy, the Philistines were a constant threat to the Israelites. They oppressed Israel for 40 years until Samson began to deliver them (Judg. 13:1, 5). Samson's encounters with the Philistines, including his marriage to a Philistine woman and his final act of bringing down the temple of Dagon, are recorded in Judges 14-16. During the time of Samuel, the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam. 4). They were later forced to return the Ark after experiencing plagues (1 Sam. 5-6).

The Philistines continued to be a significant enemy during the reigns of Saul and David. The famous battle between David and the Philistine giant Goliath took place during this time (1 Sam. 17). David fought against the Philistines throughout his reign (2 Sam. 5; 8:1, 12; 21; 23), and they remained a threat until the later years of the divided monarchy (2 Kgs. 18:8; 2 Chr. 26:6-7; 28:18). The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Zephaniah all mention the Philistines in their oracles, often pronouncing judgment against them (Isa. 14:29-31; Jer. 47; Ezek. 25:15-17; Amos 1:8; Zeph. 2:5).

The Philistines were known for their advanced iron technology, their distinctive pottery, and their religious practices, which included the worship of deities such as Dagon, Ashtoreth, and Baal-Zebub. The biblical narrative portrays them as a formidable enemy of Israel, but also as a people whom God used to test and discipline His chosen nation.

All entries for Philistia or Philistine: פְּלֶשֶׁת ☩ פְּלִשְׁתִּי