Deuteronomy 2:23
New International Version
And as for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorites coming out from Caphtor destroyed them and settled in their place.)

New Living Translation
A similar thing happened when the Caphtorites from Crete invaded and destroyed the Avvites, who had lived in villages in the area of Gaza.)

English Standard Version
As for the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)

Berean Standard Bible
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)

King James Bible
And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

New King James Version
And the Avim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and dwelt in their place.)

New American Standard Bible
And as for the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

NASB 1995
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

NASB 1977
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

Amplified Bible
As for the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim (Cretans, later Philistines) who came from Caphtor (Crete) destroyed them and settled in their place.)

Christian Standard Bible
The Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed the Avvites, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, and settled in their place.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, and settled in their place.”

American Standard Version
And the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

Contemporary English Version
A group called the Avvim used to live in villages as far south as Gaza, but the Philistines killed them and settled on their land.

English Revised Version
and the Avvim which dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The same thing happened to the Avvites who lived in villages as far away as Gaza. The Caphtorites, who came from Crete, wiped them out and took their place.

Good News Translation
The land along the Mediterranean coast had been settled by people from the island of Crete. They had destroyed the Avvim, the original inhabitants, and had taken over all their land as far south as the city of Gaza.)

International Standard Version
It was the same for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza. The Caphtorites, who came from Crete, destroyed them and settled there in their place.)

Majority Standard Bible
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)

NET Bible
As for the Avvites who lived in settlements as far west as Gaza, Caphtorites who came from Crete destroyed them and settled down in their place.)

New Heart English Bible
and the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and lived in their place.)

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Avims who dwelt in Hazerim even to Azzah, the Caphtorims, who came forth from Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

World English Bible
Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As for the Avim who are dwelling in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim—who are coming out from Caphtor—have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead.

Young's Literal Translation
'As to the Avim who are dwelling in Hazerim unto Azzah, the Caphtorim -- who are coming out from Caphtor -- have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Avims dwelling in the enclosures, even to Azzah, the Caphtorims, coming forth from Caphtor, destroyed them, and they dwelt instead of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Hevites also, that dwelt in Haserim as far as Gaza, were expelled by the Cappadocians: who came out of Cappadocia, and destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise the Hevites, who were living in small villages as far as Gaza, were expelled by the Cappadocians, who went forth from Cappadocia, and they wiped them out and lived in their place.

New American Bible
As for the Avvim, who once lived in villages in the vicinity of Gaza, the Caphtorim, migrating from Caphtor, cleared them away and dwelt in their place.)

New Revised Standard Version
As for the Avvim, who had lived in settlements in the vicinity of Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Avites who dwelt in Hazerim, as far as Azzah, the Caphedokian, who came out of Caphedoki, destroyed them and dwelt in their land.)

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Avites who dwell in Khatsrim even unto Aza: the Qaphudqayeh—Cappadocians who had gone out from Qephaduqi—Cappadocia destroyed them and dwelt in their land.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Evites who dwell in Asedoth to Gaza, and the Cappadocians who came out of Cappadocia, destroyed them, and dwelt in their room.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wanderings in the Wilderness
22just as He had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They drove them out and have lived in their place to this day. 23And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)

Cross References
Genesis 10:14
the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites.

Joshua 13:3
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;

Amos 9:7
“Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

Jeremiah 47:4
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

Genesis 10:19
and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.

1 Chronicles 1:12
the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites.

Ezekiel 25:16
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast.

Zephaniah 2:5
Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.”

Isaiah 23:1
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Isaiah 23:12
He said, “You shall rejoice no more, O oppressed Virgin Daughter of Sidon. Get up and cross over to Cyprus—even there you will find no rest.”

Acts 17:26
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

Acts 13:17-19
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. / He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness. / And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.


Treasury of Scripture

And the Avims which dwelled in Hazerim, even to Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelled in their stead.)

the Avims

Joshua 13:3
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

Avites

1 Kings 4:24
For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

Jeremiah 25:20
And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

Zephaniah 2:4
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

Gaza

Genesis 10:14
And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.

Jeremiah 47:4
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

Amos 9:7
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

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Avim Avvim Avvites Azzah Caphtor Caphtorim Caph'torim Caphtorites Destroyed Destruction Dwell Dwelling Dwelt Hamlets Hands Settled Small Stead Towns Villages
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Avim Avvim Avvites Azzah Caphtor Caphtorim Caph'torim Caphtorites Destroyed Destruction Dwell Dwelling Dwelt Hamlets Hands Settled Small Stead Towns Villages
Deuteronomy 2
1. The story is continued, that they were not to meddle with the Edomites
9. nor with the Moabites
16. nor with the Ammonites
24. but Sihon the Amorite was subdued by them














And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza,
The Avvim were a people group mentioned in the Old Testament, residing in the region that extended to Gaza. This area is part of the coastal plain of ancient Canaan, which is significant in biblical history as a land often contested by various groups. The Avvim's presence in villages suggests a settled, agrarian lifestyle. Gaza, a major city in the region, was a strategic location due to its position on trade routes. The mention of the Avvim highlights the diverse ethnic landscape of Canaan before the Israelite conquest.

were destroyed by the Caphtorites,
The Caphtorites are believed to be related to the Philistines, often associated with the island of Crete or the broader Aegean region. Their destruction of the Avvim indicates a period of migration and conquest, common in the ancient Near East. This event reflects the shifting power dynamics and the movement of peoples that characterized the region. The Caphtorites' actions foreshadow the later Philistine presence in the same area, which would become significant in Israel's history.

who came out of Caphtor
Caphtor is traditionally identified with Crete, though some scholars suggest it could refer to other locations in the Aegean or eastern Mediterranean. The migration from Caphtor to Canaan aligns with historical patterns of sea peoples moving into the Levant during the late Bronze Age. This movement is part of a larger narrative of divine providence, where God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations to fulfill His purposes.

and settled in their place.
The settlement of the Caphtorites in the Avvim's territory signifies a complete takeover, not just a military victory. This replacement of peoples is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating the transient nature of human power and the fulfillment of divine plans. The Caphtorites' settlement prefigures the later Philistine occupation, setting the stage for future conflicts with Israel. This phrase also underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the nations, as He allows one group to displace another according to His will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Avvites
An ancient people who lived in villages extending to Gaza. They were displaced by the Caphtorim.

2. Gaza
A significant city in the southwestern part of ancient Canaan, often mentioned in the context of the Philistines.

3. Caphtorim
A people believed to have originated from Caphtor, often associated with the island of Crete. They displaced the Avvites and settled in their land.

4. Caphtor
Traditionally identified with Crete, it is considered the original homeland of the Caphtorim.

5. Displacement Event
The Caphtorim's conquest and settlement in the land of the Avvites, illustrating a common theme of displacement and settlement in ancient times.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The displacement of the Avvites by the Caphtorim illustrates God's control over the rise and fall of nations. This reminds us that God is sovereign over all human history.

The Transience of Human Settlements
The account of the Avvites and Caphtorim serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of human achievements and settlements. We should focus on eternal values rather than temporal gains.

God's Justice and Judgment
The displacement of peoples can be seen as part of God's judgment and justice. It encourages us to live righteously and seek God's will in our lives.

Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the historical context of biblical events helps us appreciate the complexity of God's plans and the fulfillment of His promises.(23) The Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims . . . destroyed.--"In Hazerim" should apparently be rendered "in villages." It does not occur elsewhere as a proper name; it is plural in form, and is found in this sense in some other places. "Azzah," i.e., Gaza. The Caphtorim: comp. Amos 9:7 : "The Philistines from Caphtor." (See Genesis 10:14.) Some make the country of Caphtor to be Cyprus or Crete. But at least this statement makes Philistia the scene of a conquest, and the Philistines of the time of Joshua would thus appear to be a mixed race.

Verse 23. - So also the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor (Genesis 10:14), probably the island of Crete (Ritter, 3:262), drove out the Avim, a Canaanitish race, who dwelt in villages (Hazerim, חֲצֵרִים) as far as Gaza (Azzah), and took possession of their land; though it would appear some of them still remained among the Philistines (who were Caphtorites, Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4), and were among the tribes not subdued by the Israelites under Joshua (Joshua 13:3). These Caphtorim were, like the Israelites, immigrants, who drove out the original occupants of the country; and on this account, probably, are referred to by Moses here. "This is so often repeated, to possess the minds of the Israelites with a sense of God's providence, which rules everywhere; displacing one people, and settling another in their stead, and fixing their bounds, also, which they shall not pass without leave" (Patrick).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the Avvim,
וְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים (wə·hā·‘aw·wîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 5757: Avvites -- inhabitants of Avva

who lived
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים (hay·yō·šə·ḇîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in villages
בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים (ba·ḥă·ṣê·rîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural
Strong's 2699: Chatserim

as
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

far as Gaza,
עַזָּ֑ה (‘az·zāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5804: A Philistine city

were destroyed by
הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם (hiš·mî·ḏum)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

the Caphtorites,
כַּפְתֹּרִים֙ (kap̄·tō·rîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3732: Caphtorim -- a Caphtorite

who came
הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים (hay·yō·ṣə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

out of Caphtor
מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר (mik·kap̄·tō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3731: Caphtor -- probably a name for Crete

and settled
וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ (way·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in their place.)
תַחְתָּֽם׃ (ṯaḥ·tām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avvim who lived in villages (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 2:22
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