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Philistines and Tyrians in the Modern Era

The Philistines were a people group whose origins are not explicitly detailed in the Bible, though prophets describe them as coming "from Caphtor" [4]. This suggests they were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table as descendants of Mizraim [4]. They are also referred to as the Cherethites [5]. The Philistines were allied to the Phoenicians and were a branch of a primitive race that spread across the Lebanon district, the Jordan valley, and Mediterranean islands like Crete [1]. They conquered the Avim and occupied their territory on the west coast of Canaan [5]. The land they inhabited was called Philistia [5].

In the time of Abraham, the Philistines lived in the southwest of Judea, with Abimelech of Gerar serving as their king [1]. Despite their presence, they are not listed among the Canaanitish tribes in the Pentateuch [1]. Their territory was divided into five lordships and included many flourishing cities [5]. God gave this land to the Israelites [5].

The Philistines were a significant people, governed by kings even in the patriarchal age [5]. They were a warlike people, often referred to as "sea people," and were of Greek rather than Canaanite ancestry [12]. They settled in the southwestern coastal areas around 1200 BC [12]. From this point onward, Philistia became Israel's "natural enemy" and posed a continuous threat to Israel's national existence [12]. Israel's institutions, including the establishment of kingship, developed partly in response to the Philistine challenge [12].

Throughout the Old Testament, the Philistines are consistently portrayed as adversaries of Israel. For example, 1 Samuel 17:21 describes Israel and the Philistines arrayed against each other in battle [2]. Even after David had largely subdued them, they remained a source of conflict, often instigating disturbances as long as they had champions like giants among them [10]. Matthew Henry notes that the enemies of God's Israel are "restless" [10].

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Philistines as an enemy to the west of Israel [6, 9, 13]. John Gill, commenting on Isaiah 9:12, explains that while Syria lay to the east of Israel, Palestine (the land of the Philistines) was to the west [6]. This geographical positioning meant that Israel could be attacked from both sides by these adversaries [6]. The Tyndale House commentary on Isaiah 11:14 also identifies the Philistines to the west as Israel's historic enemy, alongside eastern nations like the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, all of whom would be vanquished [9].

The Tyrians, inhabitants of Tyre, are frequently mentioned alongside the Philistines as enemies of Israel. Psalm 83:7 lists "the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre" among those allied against God's people [3]. The prophet Jeremiah's message of doom for the Philistines also includes Tyre and Sidon, indicating their shared fate in the destruction threatened by Nebuchadnezzar [7]. Matthew Henry notes that Tyre and Sidon, though geographically distinct, would share in the Philistines' destruction [7].

Rashi, a medieval Jewish commentator, suggests that the Philistines were aiding Tyre and Sidon against their enemies, highlighting a historical alliance between these groups [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on Joel 3:4, addresses the Tyrians, Sidonians, and Philistines as "near neighbours of the Jews, and implacable enemies to them" [8]. He interprets these groups as symbolic of the enemies of the true church of Christ, including Papists and Turks, who occupied these regions in his time [8]. Gill's interpretation extends the historical conflict to a broader theological struggle, where these ancient adversaries represent ongoing opposition to God's people [8].

The historical and prophetic texts consistently depict the Philistines and Tyrians as significant antagonists in Israel's history. Their geographical proximity and frequent alliances against Israel underscore their role as persistent threats, shaping both the political landscape and the prophetic pronouncements concerning God's judgment and ultimate triumph.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Philistines — (Gen. 10:14, R.V.; but in A.V., "Philistim"), a tribe allied to the Phoenicians. They were a branch of the primitive race which spread over the whole district of the Lebanon and the valley of the Jordan, and Crete and other Mediterranean islands. Some suppose them to have been a branch of the Rephaim (2 Sam. 21:16-22). In the time of Abraham they inhabited the south-west of Judea, Abimelech of Gerar being their king (Gen. 21:32, 34; 26:1). They are, however, not noticed among the Canaanitish tribes mentioned in the Pentateuch. They are spoken of by Amos”
  2. I Samuel “I Samuel 17:21 (Geneva1599) — For Israel and the Philistims had put themselues in araie, armie against armie.”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 83:7 (Webster) — Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philistines — (immigrants), The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible; but as the prophets describe them as "the Philistines-from Caphtor," (Amos 9:7) and "the remnant of the maritime district of Caphtor" (Jeremiah 47:4) it is prima facie probable that they were the Caphtorim which came out of Caphtor" who expelled the Avim from their territory and occupied it; in their place, (2:23) and that these again were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table among the descendants of Mizraim. (Genesis 10:14) It has been generally ass”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Philistines — Descended from Casluhim -- Ge 10:13,14. Originally dwelt in the land of Caphtor -- Jer 47:4; Am 9:7. Conquered the Avims and took from them the west coast of Canaan -- De 2:23. Called The Caphtorims. -- De 2:23. The Cherethites. -- 1Sa 30:14; Zep 2:5. Country of Called Philistia. -- Ps 87:4; 108:9. Divided into five sates of lordships. -- Jos 13:3; Jdj 3:3; 1Sa 6:16. Had many flourishing cities. -- 1Sa 6:17. Given by God to the Israelites. -- Jos 13:2,3; 15:45,47. Were a great people and governed by kings in the patriarchal age -- Ge 21:22,34; 26:8. Cha”
  6. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 9:12: The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind,.... Rezin, king of Syria, the confederate of the Israelites, being slain, his people joined the Assyrians against Israel; and they, with others mentioned, beset them on all sides, before and behind, east and west; and so the Targum, Septuagint, and other versions, render it, the Syrians on the east, or from the rising of the sun; and the Philistines on the west, or from the setting of the sun; for, as Kimchi observes, Syria lay east of the land of Israel, and Palestine on the West (b): and they shall devour Israel with”
  7. Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 47 (introduction): This chapter reads the Philistines their doom, as the former read the Egyptians theirs and by the same hand, that of Nebuchadnezzar. It is short, but terrible; and Tyre and Zidon, though they lay at some distance from them, come in sharers with them in the destruction here threatened. I. It is foretold that the forces of the northern crowns should come upon them, to their great terror (Jer 47:1-5). II. That the war should continue long, and their endeavours to put an end to it should be in vain (Jer 47:6-7).”
  8. Joel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joel 3:4: Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?.... The Tyrians, Zidonians, and Philistines, were near neighbours of the Jews, and implacable enemies to them; and are here put for the enemies of the true church of Christ, the Papists and Turks, and in whose possession those places now are: these are addressed by the Lord, inquiring or demanding the reason of their ill usage of him and his people: "what have ye to do with me?" to be called by my name, or accounted my people? I know you not, nor will I have any fellowship with you: ”
  9. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 11:14: 11:14 Philistia to the west: The Philistines were Israel’s historic enemy. • The nations to the east included the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites. All foes would be vanquished.”
  10. 2 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 21:15: We have here the story of some conflicts with the Philistines, which happened, as it should seem, in the latter end of David's reign. Though he had so subdued them that they could not bring any great numbers into the field, yet as long as they had any giants among them to be their champions, they would never be quiet, but took all occasions to disturb the peace of Israel, to challenge them, or make incursions upon them. I. David himself was engaged with one of the giants. The Philistines began the war yet again, Sa2 21:15. The enemies of God's Israel are restle”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Jeremiah 47:4: to cut off from Tyre and Zidon The Philistines were aiding them against their enemies.”
  12. Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 13:1: 13:1 Though mentioned earlier, the Philistines (3:3; 10:7) were a relatively new presence in the territory of Canaan, which would later be named for them (Palestine). This warlike race of sea people were of Greek rather than Canaanite ancestry and settled into the southwestern coastal areas about 1200 BC. From then on, Philistia was Israel’s natural enemy and increasingly threatened its national existence. Israel’s institutions, such as kingship, developed partly in response to the Philistine challenge.”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 9:12: Syrians--Though now allies of Ephraim, after Rezin's death they shall join the Assyrians against Ephraim. "Together," in Isa 9:11, refers to this. Conquering nations often enlist in their armies the subject races (Isa 22:6; compare Kg2 16:9; Jer 35:11), [ABEN EZRA, GESENIUS]. HORSLEY less probably takes "Syrians before," as the Syrians to the east, that is, not Rezin's subjects, but the Assyrians: "Aram" being the common name of Syrians and Assyrians. Philistines--of Palestine. behind--from the west: in marking the points of the compass, Orientalis”
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