Hebrew word · H6429

פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת

peleshet

Philistia

The territory of the Pelishtim (Philistines): the southern coastal plain from roughly Gaza north toward Joppa. Its main cities were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath (Josh 13:3; 1 Sam 6:17).

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

Philistia = "land of sojourners"

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

Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "Philistine" H6430G)

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Exodus 15:14

Range of meaning

The territory of the Pelishtim (Philistines): the southern coastal plain from roughly Gaza north toward Joppa. Its main cities were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath (Josh 13:3; 1 Sam 6:17). Egyptian records call the people Peleset, one of the 'Sea Peoples' who fought Ramesses III around 1175 BC and then settled on this coast.

Against the English

KJV 'Palestina' (through the Greek/Latin name Palaestina) makes modern readers think of the whole land of Palestine or the modern political territory. BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB, WEB and YLT 'Philistia' is accurate.

How it drifted

The Greek name Palaistinē (Herodotus, 5th c. BC) comes from the Philistines' name. In AD 135 Rome made Syria Palaestina the name of the whole province. From then on the word covered far more than the old Philistine coast, and the KJV's 'Palestina' picks up that later, wider meaning.

Used elsewhere in the period

Egyptian Medinet Habu inscriptions and reliefs (Ramesses III) name the Peleset. Assyrian texts call the region Palastu/Pilistu. In the Bible the Philistines are Israel's chief coastal rival, especially in Judges and Samuel.

From the study of Isaiah 14:29

Range of meaning

The territory of the Philistines (pelishtim): the southern coastal plain of Canaan, organised as city-states. Assyrian texts call it Palastu or Pilistu.

Against the English

BSB "Philistines," WEB/YLT "Philistia." KJV "Palestina" (in some editions "Palestina"/"Palestine") follows the Greek and Latin form of the name. It refers only to the Philistine coastland, not to the whole land.

How it drifted

Greek writers from Herodotus on used Palaistinē, derived from Peleshet, and later Roman usage applied "Syria Palaestina" to the whole region. So the KJV's "Palestina" can make modern readers think of the entire land or of modern Palestinians.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 15:14; Psalm 60:8; 83:7; 87:4; Joel 3:4 (4:4 in Hebrew). Assyrian records of Tiglath-pileser III and Sargon II name Philistine cities (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron) as vassals and rebels.

Where it appears

Exodus · 1

  1. Exodus 15:14 פְּלָֽשֶׁת׃ Philistia

    The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.

    Here: The coastal plain in the southwest of Canaan, held by the Philistines and their city-states. It is the first land named on the route from Egypt toward Canaan.

Psalms · 4

  1. Psalm 60:8 פְּלֶ֣שֶׁת O Philistia

    Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

  2. Psalm 83:7 פְּ֝לֶ֗שֶׁת Philistia

    of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre.

  3. Psalm 87:4 פְלֶ֣שֶׁת Philistia

    “I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”

    Here: The coastal Philistine city-states to the west. They were Israel's neighbouring enemy for centuries, from the Judges period through Saul and David.

  4. Psalm 108:9 פְ֝לֶ֗שֶׁת Philistia

    Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Isaiah · 2

  1. Isaiah 14:29 פְלֶ֙שֶׁת֙ O Philistia

    Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.

    Here: The land of the Philistines: the southern coastal plain with its city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and formerly Gath). The address is to the whole region as one.

  2. Isaiah 14:31 פְּלֶ֣שֶׁת O Philistia

    Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.

Joel · 1

  1. Joel 3:4 פְּלָ֑שֶׁת Philistia

    Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads.

    Here: The land of the Philistines, the southern coastal plain. It does not mean the whole land of Israel (see the KJV's 'Palestine').

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.