Deuteronomy 2:23 — Word Study
WLCוְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים עַד־ עַזָּ֑ה כַּפְתֹּרִים֙ הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּֽם׃
BSAAnd the AvvimʻAvvîym [the Avvites, a group of people] who livedyâshab [dwelt, resided] asʻad far as GazaʻAzzâh [till, up to, Azzah, the strong city] were destroyed byshâmad■ [annihilated, devastated] the CaphtoritesKaphtôrîy [people from Caphtor, an island like Crete] who cameyâtsâʼ out of CaphtorKaphtôr [emigrated, departed, their original home, possibly Crete] and settledyâshab▸ [dwelt, took their place] in their placetachath [underneath them, in their stead]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים | and the Avvites | Conjunction, particle, noun proper |
| הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים | who were dwelling | Particle, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural |
| בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים | in villages | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עַד־ | to | Preposition |
| עַזָּ֑ה | Gaza | Noun proper |
| כַּפְתֹּרִים֙ | [the] Caphtorites | Noun gentilic, masculine plural absolute |
| הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים | who came forth | Particle, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural |
| מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר | from Caphtor | Preposition, noun proper |
| הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם | they destroyed them | Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ | and they dwelt | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| תַחְתָּֽם׃ | in place of them | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.) |
| KJV | And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.) |
| ASV | And the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.) |
| YLT | 'As to the Avim who are dwelling in Hazerim unto Azzah, the Caphtorim — who are coming out from Caphtor — have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead. |
| WEB | Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.) |
| BBE | And the Avvim, living in the small towns as far as Gaza, came to destruction by the hands of the Caphtorim who came out from Caphtor and took their land.) |
Where they part company is over the rendering of הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם — see How Translations Differ.
The structure includes two main clauses and several subordinate phrases that provide additional context and detail about the actions and subjects.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָשַׁב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Deuteronomy 2:23
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Conquest of the Landgenerated
Deuteronomy 2:23 describes the fate of the Avvim, a group of people who inhabited the region up to Gaza, and how they were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who migrated from their homeland of Caphtor. This account illustrates the ongoing conflicts and territorial changes faced by the Israelites as they journeyed towards the Promised Land.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 13:3 | from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; |
| 2 | 1 Kings 4:24 | For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates —over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 25:20 | all the mixed tribes; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod; |
| 4 | Zephaniah 2:4 | For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. |
| 5 | Zechariah 9:5 | Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עַוִּים, ve.ha.'a.Vimgenerated
The term עַוִּים (Avviym) refers to a group of people known as the Avvites, who lived in the southwestern coastal region of ancient Palestine. The root of the word suggests 'ruins,' connecting the Avvim to the idea of destruction and displacement, as they were ultimately overrun by the Caphtorites.
In this verse, the Avvim are depicted as having lived in villages, emphasizing their settled lifestyle before their destruction. The use of the term highlights their significance in the historical narrative of the Israelites' conquests.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the sentence is הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם, they destroyed them, which governs the overall action of the verse. The structure includes several phrases: a noun phrase identifying the Avvim, a participial phrase describing their dwelling, and a prepositional phrase indicating where they lived.
The sentence follows a typical Hebrew structure, presenting the subjects first, followed by their actions, which emphasizes the fate of the Avvim and the role of the Caphtorites in their destruction.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עַוִּים as ευαῖοι, which suggests a direct identification of the Avvim with the Cretans, indicating a cultural or ethnic connection. This choice may reflect the Greek translators' understanding of the Avvim's origins and their relationship with the Caphtorites.
The Greek term used for הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם is αὐτοὺς, which emphasizes the act of destruction in a more personal sense, focusing on the people rather than the act itself.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 2:23 recounts how the Avvim, who lived in villages up to Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came from Caphtor and took their place. This shows the ongoing struggles of the Israelites as they encountered different peoples during their journey.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Avvim were a group of people who lived in the southwestern coastal region of ancient Palestine, specifically noted for their settlements in villages.
The Avvim were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came from Caphtor, indicating a significant conflict and displacement in the region.
Caphtor is believed to refer to an island, possibly Crete, and is noted as the original home of the Caphtorites, who played a role in the destruction of the Avvim.
This verse illustrates the ongoing conflicts Israel faced with other nations as they moved toward the Promised Land, highlighting themes of conquest and displacement.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about the consequences of conflict from the fate of the Avvim?
- How does the displacement of the Avvim relate to the broader narrative of Israel's journey?
- In what ways can we see parallels between the historical accounts in the Bible and modern issues of displacement and migration?
- How does understanding the backgrounds of groups like the Avvim and Caphtorites enhance our reading of the Old Testament?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 2:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the Avim, which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah,.... The same with the Avites, who appear to have inhabited some part of the land of the Philistines, in which Azzah or Gaza was, which was one
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.) And the Avims - the aborigines of the district.
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCaphtorims, a people akin to the Philistines, , and confederate with them in this enterprise, and so dwelling together, and by degrees were probably united together by marriages or other ways, and became one people, the Caphtorims being at last swallowed up in the Philistines. See . Caphtor is by the learned thought to be Cappadocia; whither these people might make an expedition out of Egypt, either because of the report of the great riches of part of that country, which drew others thither from places equally remote, or after the manner of those ancient times, or for some other reason now unknown.
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, [even] unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)Ver. 23. And the Avims, which dwelt in Hazeroth.] These are ancient things, as it is said in another case, such, as whereof there is no record but this extant in the world. Well might that Egyptian priest say to Solon, that wise man of Greece, You Greeks are very babies - γερωνδεελληνουκεστι - neither is there an ancient writer amongst you. Diod. Sic.
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 2 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) The Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims . . . destroyed.—“In Hazerim” should apparently be rendered “in villages.” It does not occur elsewhere as a proper name; it is plural in form, and is found in this sense in some other places. “Azzah,” i.e., Gaza. The Caphtorim: comp. Amos 9:7 : “The Philistines from Caphtor.” (See Genesis 10:14.) Some make the country of Caphtor to be Cyprus or Crete. But at least this statement makes Philistia the scene of a conquest, and the Philistines of the time of Joshua would thus appear to be a mixed race.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16–25. Approach to the ‘Ammonites and Amorites The adult generation having died out (Deuteronomy 2:16), Jehovah charged Moses that, being about to pass the border or cross the territory of Mo’ab (Deuteronomy 2:17 f.) and to approach ‘Ammôn, Israel (Sg. address) must not fight the latter, for Jehovah gave that land to the sons of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). Follows an archaeological note on the predecessors of ‘Ammôn (Deuteronomy 2:20-23); and then the command, in the Pl. address, to cross the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:24 a); then, in the Sg., an assurance that Sîḥ ?ôn should be given into Israel’s hands, they must fight him (Deuteronomy 2:24 b); for the dread of Israel would Jehovah put on all…
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 2 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible23. The Avim are identified with the Avites of Jos 13:3. Azzah is the Hebrew form of Gaza, one of the chief cities of the Philistines.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Deuteronomy 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)
Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)
And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)
As for the Avvites who lived in settlements as far west as Gaza, Caphtorites who came from Crete destroyed them and settled down in their place.)
Tyndale line
And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
And the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
and the Avvim which dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
And the Avims who dwelt in Hazerim even to Azzah, the Caphtorims, who came forth from Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
And the Auims which dwelt in Hazarim euen vnto Azzah, the Caphtorims which came out of Caphtor destroyed them, and dwelt in their steade.
Strictly literal
And the Avvites who dwelt in the hamlets as far as Gazah — the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
'As to the Avim who are dwelling in Hazerim unto Azzah, the Caphtorim — who are coming out from Caphtor — have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead.
As for the Avim who are dwelling in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim—who are coming out from Caphtor—have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead.
And the 'Avvim, who dwelt in open towns, as far as unto Gazzah,—the Caphtorim, who came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.
As for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)
From the Latin
The Hevites also, that dwelt in Haserim as far as Gaza, were expelled by the Cappadocians: who came out of Cappadocia, and destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.
Simplified
The Avvim, living in villages as far away as Gaza, were destroyed by the Philistines, who came from Crete, and settled where they used to live.)
And the Avvim, living in the small towns as far as Gaza, came to destruction by the hands of the Caphtorim who came out from Caphtor and took their land.)
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in this verse, with only minor differences in word order. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using יוצאים (go out) instead of יָצָא (came forth), and כפתר instead of כַּפְתֹּרִים, indicating a variation in the name of the Caphtorites.
וְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים עַד־ עַזָּ֑ה כַּפְתֹּרִים֙ הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּֽם׃
10 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
והעוים הישׁבים בחצרים עד עזה כפתרים היוצאים מכפתר השׁמידם וישׁבו תחתם
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: יוצאים (go out), כפתר (Caphtor)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 2:23
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עַוִּים (Avviym) refers to a group of people known as the Avvites, who lived in the southwestern coastal region of ancient Palestine, as well as a city in the territory of Benjamin. The term is derived from the root meaning 'ruins.' It is first mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:23.
עַוִּים n.pr.
gent. people on SW. coast of Mediterr.
loc. city in Benj.
base
H5761 עַוִּים
5761 `Avviym av-veem'
plural of 5757; Avvim (as inhabited by Avvites), a place in
Palestine (with the article prefix):--Avim.
see HEBREW for 05757
עַוִּים (av.vim) — Avvim.
People who lived in modern Gaza, first mentioned at Deu.2.23
§ Avim = "ruins"
1) a people among the early inhabitants of Palestine located in the southwest corner of the seacoast
2) a city in Benjamin
עַוִּים (av.vim) — Avvim.
§ Avim = "ruins"
a city in Benjamin
עַוִּים (av.vim) — Avvite.
Group of iv.vah (עַוָּה "Ivvah" H5755)
§ Avim = "ruins"
a people among the early inhabitants of Palestine located in the southwest corner of the seacoast
2) a city in Benjamin
Conj | Art | N-proper — Conjunction · particle · noun properHC/Td/Npl
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine pluralHTd/Vqrmpa
חָצֵר (chatser) refers to an enclosure or court, and can also mean a settled abode, settlement, or village, typically appearing in the plural form חֲצֵרִים. The word is derived from a root meaning to enclose, indicating spaces that are surrounded by walls or fences.
חָצֵר 145 n.m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court
base
[חָצֵר] 46 n.m. settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים
base
H2691a חָצֵר n. m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court H2691b חָצֵר settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים
2691 chatser khaw-tsare'
(masculine and feminine); from 2690 in its original sense; a
yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly
surrounded with walls):--court, tower, village.
see HEBREW for 02690
חָצֵר (cha.tser) — court.
1) court, enclosure
1a) enclosures
1b) court
חָצֵר (cha.tser) — village.
settled abode, settlement, village, town
HR/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHR/Ncmpa
Villages
(Judg. 5:7, 11). The Hebrew word thus rendered (perazon) means habitations in the open country, unwalled villages (Deut. 3:5; 1 Sam. 6:18). Others, however, following the LXX. and the Vulgate versions, render the word “rulers.”
עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
prep.
of space
Of time
Of degree
conj.
until
While
Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
of space
Of time
Of degree
base
H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
. conj. . until
. While
. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
5704 `ad ad
properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or
conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,
or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,
while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,
at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),
(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,
till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.
see HEBREW for 05703
עַד (ad) — till.
prep
1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as
1a) of space
1a1) as far as, up to, even to
1b) in combination
1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)
1c) of time
1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end
1d) of degree
1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like
conj
2) until, while, to the point that, so that even
Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Prep — PrepositionHR
עַזָּה (Azzah) refers to Gaza, a significant Philistine city located in the southwest of Palestine. The word is derived from a root meaning 'strong.' It is noted in various lexicons as a proper noun, specifically identifying this ancient location.
עַזָּה n.pr.loc. Gaza;—Philistine city, southernmost of the famous five cities
base
H5804 עַזָּה Gaza
5804 `Azzah az-zaw'
feminine of 5794; strong; Azzah, a place in
Palestine:--Azzah, Gaza.
see HEBREW for 05794
עַזָּה (az.zah) — Gaza.
§ Azzah = "the strong"
another name for 'Gaza', a city of the Philistines located in the extreme southwest of Palestine close to the Mediterranean
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
ga'-za (`azzah, "strong"; Septuagint Gaza; Arabic Ghazzeh):
One of the five chief towns of Philistia and probably the oldest, situated near the coast in lat. 31 degrees 30' and about 40 miles South of Jaffa. It is on a hill rising 60 to 200 ft. above the plain, with sand dunes between it and the sea, which is about 2 1/2 miles distant. The plain around is fertile and wells abound, and, being on the border of the desert between Syria and Egypt and lying in the track of caravans and armies passing from one to the other, it was in ancient times a place of importance. The earliest notices of it are found in the records of Egypt.
Thothmes III refers to it in the account of his expedition to Syria in 1479 BC, and it occurs again in the records of the expedition of Seti I in 1313 BC (Breasted, History of Egypt, 285, 409).
Gaza
Called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (Deut. 2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jer. 25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its early importance as the chief centre of a great commercial traffic with Egypt. It is one of the oldest cities of the world (Gen. 10:19; Josh. 15:47). Its earliest inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by the Caphtorims (Deut. 2:23; Josh. 13:2, 3), a Philistine tribe. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah (
(the fortified; the strong) (properly Azzah), one of the five chief cities of the Philistines. It is remarkable for its continuous existence and importance from the very earliest times. The secret of this unbroken history is to be found in the situation of Gaza. It is the last town in the southwest of Palestine, on the frontier towards Egypt. The same peculiarity of situation has made Gaza important in a military sense. Its name means "the strong;" and this was well elucidated in its siege by Alexander the Great, which lasted five months. In the conquest of Joshua the territory of Gaza is mentioned as one which he was not able to subdue. (Joshua 10:41; 11:22; 13:3) It was assigned to the tribe of Judah, (Joshua 15:47) and that tribe did obtain possession of it, (
strong; a goat
כַּפְתֹּרִי (Kaphtoriy) refers to the Cretans, specifically the inhabitants of Caphtor, which is identified with Crete. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to crown' and is associated with a group mentioned in Genesis 10:14, descended from Egypt. It is used collectively to denote the Caphtorim.
[כַּפְתֹּרִי] adj.gent., only pl. as subst. Cretans
base
H3732 כַּפְתֹּרִי Cretans
3732 Kaphtoriy kaf-to-ree'
patrial from 3731; a Caphtorite (collectively) or native of
Caphtor:--Caphthorim, Caphtorim(-s).
see HEBREW for 03731
כַּפְתֹּרִי (kaph.to.ri) — Caphtorim.
Someone from Caphtor (Crete) of the Egyptians, first mentioned at Gen.10.14; descended from Egypt (H4714); along with Ludim (H3866), Anamim (H6047), Lehabim (H3853), Naphtuhim (H5320), Pathrusim (H6625) and Casluhim (H3695)
§ Caphtorim, of Caphtor "a crown"
Cretans as the inhabitants of Caphtor as distinct from the Philistines
Ngmpa — Noun gentilic · masculine plural absoluteHNgmpa
יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.
יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out
Qal
go or come out or forth
from (מִן) a place
go forth from (the presence of) a person
in technical senses
of flight, involving escape
depart
of inanimate things
with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
of children as going forth from loins (of father)
go forth to a place
go forward, proceed to or toward something
come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
of combinations
Hiph.
cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
bring out animals
inanimate obj.
fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
Hoph. be brought forth
base
H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place
. go forth from (the presence of) a person
. in technical senses
. of flight, involving escape
. depart
. of inanimate things
. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
. of children as going forth from loins (of father)
. . go forth to a place
. go forward, proceed to or toward something
. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
. of combinations
. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
. bring out animals
. inanimate obj.
. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
. be brought forth
3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'
a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great
variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct
and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X
begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come
(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,
depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,
fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,
out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),
going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,
lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X
scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring
out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any
time, X to (and fro), utter.
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.
: come/go_out/escape
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.
: send/take_out/release
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine pluralHTd/Vqrmpa
forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement
(1) forward,
(2) out of,
(3) beyond a certain boundary.
In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…
כַּפְתּוֹר (Kaphtor) likely refers to Crete, considered the original home of the Philistines. The term may denote a 'crown' or 'wreath-shaped island.' It appears in contexts suggesting geographical significance, particularly in relation to the Philistines' origins.
כַּפְתּוֹר, כַּפְתֹּר n.pr.terr. prob. Crete
base
H3731 כַּפְתּוֹר, כַּפְתֹּר prob. Crete
3731 Kaphtor kaf-tore'
or (Am. 9:7) Kaphtowr {kaf-tore'}; apparently the same as
3730; Caphtor (i.e. a wreath-shaped island), the original seat
of the Philistines:--Caphtor.
see HEBREW for 03730
כַּפְתּוֹר (kaph.tor) — Caphtor.
§ Caphtor = "a crown"
the original home of the Philistines, perhaps on the southwest coast of Asia Minor, maybe in Egypt or close by, or more probably on the island of Crete
(TWOT) the island of Crete, homeland or staging area of the Philistines
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
Caphtor
A chaplet, the original seat of the Philistines (Deut. 2:23; Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7). The name is found written in hieroglyphics in the temple of Kom Ombos in Upper Egypt. But the exact situation of Caphtor is unknown, though it is supposed to be Crete, since the Philistines seem to be meant by the “Cherethites” in 1 Sam. 30:14 (see also 2 Sam. 8:18). It may, however, have been a part of Egypt, the Caphtur in the north Delta, since the Caphtorim were of the same race as the Mizraite people (Gen. 10:14; 1 Chr.…
a sphere, buckle, or hand
→ A country, now unknown De 2:23
שָׁמַד (shamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to destroy or exterminate. It has forms in both the Niph'al, indicating being destroyed, and the Hiph'il, indicating the act of destroying. The entries emphasize its use in contexts of annihilation and devastation, with a focus on complete destruction.
[שָׁמַד] 90 vb. Niph. be exterminated, destroyed
Hiph. 69
annihilate, exterminate
destroy
base
H8045 [שָׁמַד] Niph. be exterminated, destroyed
8045 shamad shaw-mad'
a primitive root; to desolate:--destory(- uction), bring to
nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, X utterly.
שָׁמַד (sha.mad) — to destroy.
1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated
1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to annihilate, exterminate
1b2) to destroy
Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect third person common plural · suffixHVhp3cp/Sp3mp
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
תַּחַת (tachath) refers to the concept of being underneath or below. It can function as a noun meaning 'the under part,' or as an adverb and preposition indicating position or substitution, such as 'instead of' or 'for the sake of.' The word encompasses various uses, including physical placement and metaphorical meanings related to subjection or exchange.
תַּחַת n.[m.] the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
base
H8478 תַּחַת the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
8478 tachath takh'-ath
from the same as 8430; the bottom (as depressed); only
adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix
underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat,
in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead
of, under, X unto, X when...was mine, whereas, (where-)fore,
with.
see HEBREW for 08430
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: under.
: under/below
1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m
1a) the under part adv accus
1b) beneath prep
1c) under, beneath
1c1) at the foot of (idiom)
1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig)
1c3) of subjection or conquest
1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands
1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)
1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense)
1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged)
conj
1e) instead of, instead of that
1f) in return for that, because that in compounds
1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion)
1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: instead.
: instead/in_place/exchange
Prep | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp