פְּלִשְׁתִּי

From the study of 2 Samuel 5:19

Range of meaning

The Philistines: a people of Aegean origin who settled on the southern coast of Canaan in the 12th century BC, organised in five city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron).

Against the English

The English 'philistine' (an uncultured person) is a 19th-century borrowing and has nothing to do with the biblical people. The Septuagint usually calls them allophyloi, 'foreigners, people of another tribe'.

How it drifted

The modern insult comes from German student slang, later popularised in English by Matthew Arnold. It is unrelated to the biblical meaning.

Used elsewhere in the period

Egyptian records of Ramesses III name the 'Peleset' among the Sea Peoples. Excavations at Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath (Tell es-Safi) show Aegean-style pottery and diet. In Samuel they are Israel's main oppressors (1 Sam 4; 13; 31).

From the study of Genesis 26:14

Range of meaning

The Philistines, the people of the coastal plain of southern Canaan. In the historical books they are Israel's chief enemy (Judges–Samuel). In Genesis 21 and 26 they are linked with Gerar and its king Abimelech.

Against the English

Translated the same way everywhere. The question is who they were, not how to render the word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Egyptian records of Ramesses III (around 1175 BC) name the Peleset among the "Sea Peoples" who settled the southern coast. The Genesis Philistines of Gerar act differently from the later five-city Philistines: they make treaties, are fairly peaceful, and are ruled by a king rather than five lords.

From the study of Genesis 26:15

Range of meaning

Philistines: an ethnic name. In most of the Bible it means the Aegean-origin people who settled the southern coastal plain (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) in the early 12th century BC. In Genesis 21 and 26 it names the people of Gerar under a king called Abimelech.

Against the English

English "Philistines" brings Goliath and the wars of Saul and David to mind, and in everyday English "philistine" means an uncultured person. In Gen 26 these people make treaties and swear oaths with the patriarchs (26:26–31). They are rivals for resources, not a military great power.

How it drifted

The pictures of later Israelite history (Judges and Samuel) and the 17th–19th century English and German slang meaning "boor" both get read back into Genesis.

Used elsewhere in the period

Egyptian records of Ramesses III (Medinet Habu, early 12th century BC) name the Peleset among the "Sea Peoples." Archaeology dates distinctively Philistine material culture on the coast to that period. Genesis places Philistines at Gerar (often identified with Tel Haror or Tel Abu Hureira) in the patriarchal age.