Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
), “the land of the Philistines” (Ps. 60:8; 87:4; 108:9).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(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. ) 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.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
" Situation and Extent. - Philistia, or the "land of the Philistines," included the coast-plain on the south-west of Palestine, from Joppa on the north to the valley of Gerar on the south, a distance of about 40 miles, and from the Mediterranean on the west to the Judaean hills. Its breadth at the northern end was 10 miles, and at the southern about 20. It appears to have extended as far inland as Beersheba. Gen 21:33-34; Ex 26:1, Gen 26:14-18; Ex 23:31; Josh 13:2-3.
Warren limited it, somewhat more closely, to the plain reaching 32 miles from Ekron to Gaza, with a breadth of from 9 to 16 miles. It is bounded on the north by the plain of Sharon, east by the hill-country, south by "the south country," and west by the Mediterranean. Physical Features, - Along the whole sea-board are white sandy dunes. Behind these is the broad undulating plain, from 50 to 300 feet above the sea-level, with a deep rich soil.
To the east of this plain is found a series of low spurs and undulating ground culminating in hogs' backs, running nearly north and south, and rising in places 1200 feet above the ocean; to the east of these is a steep descent of about 500 feet to the valleys, and east of these the hill-country of Judah begins. From the deep and narrow ravines of the hill-country rapid torrents roll during the rainy season. On coming into the plain the water forms marshes and pools, and quietly sinks away, most of the water reaching the ocean underground.
The sand from the shore is constantly encroaching upon the fertile land. " Josh 11:16; Judg 1:9. History. - The origin of the Philistines has been a matter of much discussion. That the Hebrews regarded the Philistines as a branch of the Caphtorim is clearly stated in Jer 47:4; Am 9:7; Deut 2:23. , in the villages - "even unto Azzah " (Gaza). These could certainly have been no other than the Philistines. , the Casluhim - "came Philistim" appear to mean, not that the Philistines were descended from the Casluhim, but that they came out of or passed through their country.
The purport of the two passages seems therefore to be that the Philistines (or Caphtorim) who took possession of the Holy Land entered it on the south-west by way of the land of the Casluhim (Egypt), having, as is probable, come thither from Crete. But although the balance of authority places the Caphtorim in Crete, the evidence is by no means conclusive. The Vulgate in several places identifies them with the Cappadocians, and some modern critics identify them with the Cyprians.
" It would seem that the Philistines who were settled in the land in the time of Abraham, whose capital was Gerar and whose king was called Abimelech, Gen 21:34; Gen 26:14, did not possess Gaza or either of the five Philistine cities that became powerful in later times. In Gen 10:19, Gaza is named as the frontier-town of the Canaanites in the direction of Gerar, and from Deut 2:23 it appears that the Avims held it till they were driven out by the Caphtorim.
This seems to indicate a second immigration of Philistines, probably direct from Crete or Cyrus, that may have taken place but little before the time of Moses. Abraham found them in possession of the "south country," but they seem then to have treated with him as an equal in power. He made a treaty with their chief, Abimelech, at Beersheba, and this treaty was renewed in the days of Isaac. Gen 21:32-33; Gen 26:12-23. " Ex 13:17. T. history, the Israelites and the Philistines were frequently brought in contact. T.
from Genesis to Zechariah, but the limits of this article will allow of only the briefest outline of the leading events. Philistine. ) The land of the Philistines was within the limits of the land promised to Israel, Num 34:5-6; Eze 13:17; Eze 23:31, and it was assigned to Judah and Dan, Josh 15:45-47; Josh 19:41-45, but no attempt to conquer it was made under Joshua's leadership. They had a league of their five chief towns, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, under the direction of the five lords or kings.
After Joshua's death Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron were taken, Judg 1:18, but not permanently held, by Israel. The Philistines gained the ascendency and long held it, although occasionally shaken off for a brief period, as by Shamgar, Jud 3:31; Neh 10:7; and Samson. Judg 13-16. Even Samson, who broke up the subjection of forty years, did not succeed in permanently delivering his people from the Philistine yoke. Under Eli the Israelites again resisted, but were defeated at Aphek, 30,000 slain, and the ark captured. 1 Sam 4:1-11. Under Samuel's leadership success crowned the arms of Israel.
1 Sam 7:11-14. When Saul became king he continued the contest against the ancient foe, and Jonathan and his armor-bearer began the fight which terminated in the slaughter of the Philistines at Michmash. 1 Sam 13-14. David killed Goliath later, and the Philistines were pursued to the gates of Gath and Ekron with great slaughter (30,000 killed and 60,000 wounded, according to Josephus). 1 Sam 17. David, after inflicting many defeats upon the Philistines, sought refuge among them from the malignity of Saul. 1 Sam 19:8; 1 Sam 23:1-5; 1 Sam 27:1-7; 1 Sam 29; Ps 56, title.
Saul and his sons were slain at Gilboa by the Philistines. 1 Sam 31; 1 Chr 10:1. When David became king the Philistines attacked him. He defeated them at Baal-perazim and Rephaim. During Solomon's reign the Philistines were subjects, 1 Kgs 2:39-40; 1 Kgs 4:21, 1 Kgs 4:24, and he fortified Gezer and some other border-towns. After the division of Israel the Philistines engaged in hostilities at various times with both kingdoms. 1 Kgs 16:15; 2 Chr 21:16-17. Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah defeated them. 2 Chr 17:11; 2 Chr 26:6; 2 Kgs 18:8.
As Philistia was on the great route between Egypt and Assyria, it was often involved in the great wars between those powers. Ashdod was taken by Sargon, king of Assyria, after a siege of three years, Isa 20:1, and to Sennacherib most of the towns became subject. Isa 36. Pharaoh took Gaza. Jer 47:1. Before the Jewish Captivity the kingdom of the Philistines had disappeared, and a few of their towns only retained some importance. " Neh 13:23. After the time of Alexander the power of the Philistines was entirely gone.
Later the country shared in the reverses and desolations of the Syrian and Egyptian, Maccabaean, and Jewish and Roman wars. Customs, Religion, etc. - According to all accounts, the Philistines far surpassed the Hebrews in culture, and in war-chariots and cavalry they were superior to the Israelites. 1 Sam 13:5. The heavy-armed soldiers wore a round copper helmet, a coat-of-mail, brazen greaves. Their weapons were a javelin and long lance, and each had an attendant to bear his shield and weapons, like the Greeks in the Homeric poems. The light-armed soldiers were archers.
The Philistines had fortified encampments, surrounded their towns with lofty walls, and kept the territories they had conquered in subjection by means of garrisons. They were a commercial as well as a warlike people, and not only competed with the Phoenicians by sea, but endeavored to keep in their own hands the inland and caravan traffic. Their chief god was Dagon, Jud 16:23; 1 Sam 5:1-5, who, as well as the goddess Derketo, had the form of a fish. Baalzebub, 2 Kgs 1:2-3, 2 Kgs 1:6, 2 Kgs 1:16, the fly-god of Ekron, was famed for his oracles.
On their various campaigns they took their idols with them. 2 Sam 5:21; 1 Chr 14:12. Their seers or prophets seem to have formed a distinct profession. Present Condition. " Many other of the modern names also preserve the memory of the old Philistine history and worship. Low mounds at intervals show the sites of former cities. Four and a half miles from Gaza a colossal marble statue has recently been discovered (1879). The total height of the figure is 15 feet. The hair hangs in long ringlets down upon the shoulders, and the beard is long, indicating a man of venerable age.
The right arm is broken in half, while the left arm is crossed over the breast to the right shoulder, the hand being hidden by the drapery of a cloth covering the shoulders. There is no inscription on the figure or the pedestal, which is a huge block carved in one piece with the figure. The statue was found in a recumbent position, buried in the sand, on the top of a hill near the sea. It had evidently been removed from its original site, which is unknown. Its estimated weight is 12,000 pounds. Lieut. d. 406. See Palestine Exploration Fund's Quarterly Statement for January, 1880.
The inhabitants are a race distinct from the rest of the inhabitants of Palestine, and it has been suggested that the fellakin, or peasantry, are of Canaanite origin, though no doubt a mixed race as now constituted. For the present condition of the land of the Philistines, see Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, Gerar, Gibbethon, Jabneel. Metheg-amma, Palestine.