Keraia
Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:23

Wanderings in the Wilderness · Deuteronomy 2:1–23
Read Deuteronomy 2

Translations

Modern
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.)
Traditional
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.)
Literal
And the Avites who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorites who came from Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their place.)
Latin
Hevæos quoque, qui habitabant in Haserim usque Gazan, Cappadoces expulerunt: qui egressi de Cappadocia deleverunt eos, et habitaverunt pro illis.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.)

Notes

Deuteronomy 2:23

  • The Caphtorites were descendants of Noah's son Ham and originally came from Crete. This is a large island south of the Greek peninsula. Scholars usually identify the Caphtorites with the Philistines (see Genesis 10:6–14; 1 Chronicles 1:8–12). The Philistines arrived in Canaan through two separate movements.

    One movement happened during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs (see study note on Genesis 21:32). The other movement began around 1200 BC (see study notes on Joshua 13:2; Judges 3:3). This passage probably refers to the earlier settlement.

  • The Avvites were native to the lower Mediterranean coastal plain. The early wave of Philistines replaced them in Gaza (compare Joshua 13:2–4).

Deuteronomy 2:2–25

Numbers 21:10–20 covers the same time period.

Deuteronomy 1:6–4:40

Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.

In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.

To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.

People

Avvim: Ancient people who inhabited the Gaza area Caphtorim: Descendants of Mizraim who displaced the Avvim

Places

Caphtor: Island home of the Philistines; visited by Paul Gaza: Philistine city; Samson's exploits; Philip's ministry Hazerim: Settlements inhabited by the Avvim

Glossary

Ar Archaeology and the Bible Avims, Avites Avvites Azzah Caphtor, Caphtorites, Caphtorim Cappadocia Deuteronomy, Book of Gaza Hazerim Philistia, Philistines Tribe of Dan

Topics

Avites: A Nation in Southern Part of Canaan Caphtor: A Country, Now Unknown Caphtorim: People of Caphtor Gaza: Also Called Azzah: A City of the Avim and Anakim Hazerim: A District in the South of Canaan Philistines: Territory of The Philistines: Called: The Caphtorims The Philistines: Conquered the Avims and Took from Them the West Coast of