The Philistine People, Perhaps the Most Ubiquitous Oppressors of Israel in the Old Testament

The Philistine people, perhaps the most ubiquitous oppressors of Israel in the Old Testament, were a non-Semitic people who apparently originated from a man named Philistim. Genesis 10:14 tells us “And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.” Some scholars doubt that this shows their origin, arguing instead that this was a diverse ethnic blend of people, largely refugees, that later would be called the Sea People.[1] Several early mentions of this group early in scripture indicate that there was a small settlement in Canaan during the time of the patriarchs.[2]

Most mentions of the Philistines occur in the books of Judges and Samuel.[3] This civilization was centered around Greece, Asia Minor, and the Aegean Islands.[4] Archaeology shows that from the Aegean region, they settled in Crete.[5] From here they tried to attack Egypt. “In the eighth year of his reign (ca. 1190 b.c.), Ramesses III fought two groups of the Sea Peoples, the Tjekker and the Philistines. “[6] The Philistines did not fare well. In fact, the defeat was so epic Ramesses III had it carved into the wall of his funeral temple![7] The vanquished Sea Peoples settled instead in Palestine, a land that would later be named after them.[8]

Since Shamgar in Judges 3:31 is said to be the son of Anath, who was a Canaanite god, some have speculated if he was even an Israelite. Anath later became thought of as the personal protector of Pharoh, and an inscription at WadiHammatat mentions a troup of Egyption soldiers associated with that god. Block suggests that this may have been Shamgar’s mercenary troup.[9] If so, it would explain why he is called a “deliverer” and not a “judge” of Israel. Perhaps his actions brought deliverance to Israel unintentionally. While Josephus hypothesized that he judged for one year, this view has never been widely accepted.[10]

[1]Paul J. Achtemeier, Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, 1st ed. (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985), 787-88.

[2] Lawrence O. Richards, The Bible Reader’s Companion, (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991), 185.

[3] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1683.

[4] John D. Barry, Michael R. Grigoni, Michael S. Heiser et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

[5] Adam L. Myers, "Philistines" In , in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry and Lazarus Wentz (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

[6]Paul J. Achtemeier, Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, 1st ed. (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985), 788.

[7]Achtemeier, 788.

[8] Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary, Tyndale reference library (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 1035.

[9] Daniel Isaac Block, vol. 6, Judges, Ruth, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 174.

[10] John Peter Lange, Philip Schaff, Paulus Cassel and P. H. Steenstra, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Judges (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 78.