Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Philistia, an ancient region located on the southwestern coast of Canaan, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as the land of the Philistines, a people often in conflict with the Israelites. The territory of Philistia included five major city-states: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. These cities formed a pentapolis, each ruled by its own king, yet they often acted in concert, especially in military endeavors against Israel.Historical Background The Philistines are believed to have been part of the Sea Peoples, a confederation of naval raiders who settled in the coastal regions of Canaan around the 12th century BC. Their origins are often traced back to the Aegean region, possibly from Crete or other nearby islands. The Philistines are noted for their advanced iron technology, which gave them a military advantage over the Israelites, who were primarily in the Bronze Age during the early encounters. Biblical References Philistia is first mentioned in the context of the patriarchs. In Genesis 21:32-34, Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, a Philistine city. The Philistines are also mentioned in the context of Isaac's interactions with Abimelech in Genesis 26. The Philistines are most prominently featured in the narratives of the Judges and the early monarchy of Israel. They were a constant threat to Israel during the time of the Judges, as seen in the account of Samson, who fought against them (Judges 13-16). The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant during a battle at Ebenezer, but after experiencing divine retribution, they returned it to Israel (1 Samuel 4-6). During the reign of King Saul, the Philistines were a formidable enemy. The famous battle between David and Goliath, the Philistine giant, took place in the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17). David's victory over Goliath marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to the eventual subjugation of the Philistines under King David's rule (2 Samuel 5:17-25). Prophetic Literature The prophets also spoke against Philistia. Isaiah prophesied the downfall of Philistia, warning them not to rejoice over the fall of Assyria, as they too would face destruction (Isaiah 14:29-31). Jeremiah and Ezekiel also pronounced judgments against the Philistines, foretelling their ruin (Jeremiah 47; Ezekiel 25:15-17). Cultural and Religious Practices The Philistines were known for their distinct culture and religious practices, which often clashed with those of the Israelites. They worshiped deities such as Dagon, whose temple was famously destroyed by Samson (Judges 16:23-30). The Philistines' religious practices and idolatry were a source of temptation and conflict for the Israelites, who were commanded to worship Yahweh alone. Legacy The Philistines eventually faded from history, likely assimilated into other cultures or displaced by subsequent empires. However, their interactions with Israel left a lasting impact on the biblical narrative, serving as a backdrop for many of the accounts of faith, deliverance, and divine intervention found in the Old Testament. The term "Philistine" has endured in modern language, often used metaphorically to describe someone who is uncultured or indifferent to the arts, reflecting the historical enmity between the Philistines and the Israelites. Smith's Bible Dictionary Philistia(Heb. Pelesheth) (land of sojourners). The word thus translated (in) (Psalms 60:8; 87:4; 108:9) is in the original identical with that elsewhere rendered Palestine, which always means land of the Philistines. (Philistia was the plain on the southwest coast of Palestine. It was 40 miles long on the coast of the Mediterranean between Gerar and Joppa, and 10 miles wide at the northern end and 20 at the southern.--ED.) This plain has been in all ages remarkable for the extreme richness of its soil. It was also adapted to the growth of military power; for while the itself permitted. the use of war-chariots, which were the chief arm of offence, the occasional elevations which rise out of it offered secure sites for towns and strongholds. It was, moreover, a commercial country: from its position it must have been at all times the great thoroughfare between Phoenicia and Syria in the north and Egypt and Arabia in the south. Easton's Bible Dictionary Palestine (q.v.), "the land of the Philistines" (Psalm 60:8; 87:4; 108:9). The word is supposed to mean "the land oInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia PHILISTIAfi-lis'-ti-a: The country is referred to under various designations in the Old Testament: namely, pelesheth (Philistia) (Psalm 60:8 (Hebrew 10); 87:4), 'erets pelishtim, "land of the Philistines" (Genesis 21:32, 34), geloth hapelishtim; Septuagint ge ton Phulistieim, "the regions of the Philistines" (Joshua 13:2). The Egyptian monuments have Puirsatha, Pulsath (Budge), Peleset (Breasted) and Purasati (HGHL), according to the different voweling of the radicals; the Assyrian form is Palastu or Pilistu, which corresponds very closely to the Egyptian and the Hebrew. The extent of the land is indicated in Joshua 13:2 as being from the Shihor, or Brook of Egypt (Revised Version), to the border of Ekron, northward. The eastern border was along the Judean foothills on the line of Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:9) with the sea on the West. It was a very small country, from 25 to 30 miles in length and with an average width of about half the length, but it was fertile, being an extension of the plain of Sharon, except that along the coast high sand dunes encroached upon the cultivated tract. It contained many towns and villages, the most important being the five so often mentioned in Scripture: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. The population must have been large for the territory, which enabled them to contend successfully with the Israelites, notwithstanding the superiority of position in the hills to the advantage of the latter. Greek 108. Azotos -- Azotus (ie Ashdod), a Philistine city ... Spelling: (ad'-zo-tos) Short Definition: Azotus, Ashdod Definition: Azotus, Ashdod, a coast town of Palestine belonging to the ancient Philistia, and part of ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/108.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 6430. Pelishti -- inhab. of Philistia... inhab. of Philistia. Transliteration: Pelishti Phonetic Spelling: (pel-ish-tee') Short Definition: Philistines. Word Origin from Pelesheth Definition inhab. ... /hebrew/6430.htm - 6k 6062. Anaq -- "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in ... 1651. Geshuri -- inhab. of Geshur, also a people South of ... 8208. Shaphir -- "beauty," a place perhaps in Philistia 6429. Pelesheth -- a territory on the S. Mediterranean coast of ... Library What Doest Thou Here? The Exile Continued. A Prince's Bride Enduring to the End In Judaea Appendix ii. Zephaniah Amos Joel Chapter xx Thesaurus Philistia (12 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHILISTIA. ... H. Porter. Multi-Version Concordance Philistia (12 Occurrences). Exodus 15:14 The peoples have heard. They tremble. ... /p/philistia.htm - 12k Philistines (224 Occurrences) Geliloth (2 Occurrences) Washbasin (2 Occurrences) Washbowl (2 Occurrences) Wash-pot (2 Occurrences) Washpot (2 Occurrences) Toss (13 Occurrences) Sandal (14 Occurrences) Shephelah (2 Occurrences) Resources What is the difference between Israel and Palestine? | GotQuestions.orgWhy were the Philistines and the Israelites always at war? | GotQuestions.org What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Philistia (12 Occurrences)Exodus 15:14 Psalms 60:8 Psalms 83:7 Psalms 87:4 Psalms 108:9 Isaiah 9:12 Isaiah 11:14 Isaiah 14:29 Isaiah 14:31 Joel 3:4 Amos 6:2 Zechariah 9:6 Subtopics Philistia: The Sea Coast in the West of the Territories of the Tribes of Dan and Simeon Related Terms |
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