Original Word: פְלֶשֶׁת
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: Plesheth
Pronunciation: peh-leh'-sheth
Phonetic Spelling: (pel-eh'-sheth)
KJV: Palestina, Palestine, Philistia, Philistines
NASB: Philistia
Word Origin: [from H6428 (פָּלַשׁ - roll)]

1. rolling, i.e. migratory
2. Pelesheth, a region of Syria

Palestina, Palestine, Philistia, Philistines

From palash; rolling, i.e. Migratory; Pelesheth, a region of Syria -- Palestina, Palestine, Philistia, Philistines.

see HEBREW palash

Word Origin
from palash
Definition
a territory on the S. Mediterranean coast of Isr.
NASB Translation
Philistia (8).

מְּלֶ֫שֶׁת proper name, of a territory Philistia, in poetry and late; — (ישְׁבֵי) מְּלָ֑שֶׁת Exodus 15:14 (Φυλιστιειμ; elsewhere (οἱ) ἀλλόφυλοι), Joel 4:4, elsewhere מְּלֶשֶׁת Isaiah 14:29,31; Psalm 60:10 = Psalm 108:10; Psalm 83:8; Psalm 87:4; Assyrian Palastu, Pilistu, COT^{Genesis 10:14} Dl^{pa 288 f.} Greek Παλαιστίνη Herod^{ii. 104, 106, vii. 89} Jos^{Ant. i. 6}. 2 (also Φυλιστίνου); see Rel^{Pal. 73 f}.

Geographical Identity

Philistia designates the coastal plain along the southeastern Mediterranean, bounded roughly by Gaza in the south and Joppa in the north, with the Shephelah rising to the east toward Judah. Fertile soil, strategic trade routes, and five principal city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron) made the region influential far beyond its modest size.

Historical Background

The Philistines, arriving in Canaan during the Late Bronze Age collapse, forged an iron-based military advantage that repeatedly threatened Israel (Judges through 2 Samuel). By the eighth century B.C. Philistia had been reduced to Assyrian vassalage, yet the name still evoked dread in Hebrew memory. When the prophets speak of “all Philistia” (Isaiah 14:29, 31), they address both the physical territory and its collective political identity.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Exodus 15:14 honors the LORD’s triumph at the Red Sea: “The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.”
2. Psalm 60:8 and Psalm 108:9 employ identical praise: “Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
3. Psalm 83:7 lists Philistia among confederate foes plotting Israel’s annihilation.
4. Psalm 87:4 strikingly includes Philistia in the roll of peoples who shall know the LORD: “This one was born in Zion.”
5. Isaiah 14:29, 31 announce judgment: “Do not rejoice, O whole Philistia… melt away, O whole Philistia! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north.”
6. Joel 3:4 warns Tyre, Sidon, and “all the regions of Philistia” that plundered Israel will boomerang back on their own heads.

These eight verses span Torah, Writings, and Prophets, underscoring Philistia’s recurring theological significance.

Theological Themes

Deliverance and Fear

Exodus 15:14 shows Philistia trembling at the report of Israel’s redemption. God’s fame precedes His people, reminding believers that divine deliverance unsettles hostile powers long before swords clash.

Divine Sovereignty Over Nations

In Psalm 60:8 and Psalm 108:9 Philistia is placed beneath the feet of the LORD, who “shout[s] in triumph” over the land. Israel’s victories are ultimately God’s victories; the same principle comforts the church regarding Christ’s current reign (Ephesians 1:20-22).

Judgment and Retribution

Isaiah 14 and Joel 3 both portray Philistia reaping what it has sown. Oppression of God’s people invites certain recompense. The prophetic word insists that no regional power, however menacing, escapes divine justice.

Hope for Inclusion

Psalm 87:4 breaks expectation by naming Philistia among future worshipers in Zion. The Old Testament thus anticipates Gentile inclusion, fulfilled when the gospel reaches “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Even a traditional enemy can become a citizen of the New Jerusalem by grace.

Prophetic Pronouncements and Historical Fulfillment

Isaiah’s oracle (Isaiah 14:29-31) dates to the death of an oppressive “rod” (likely Assyrian King Shalmaneser V or Sargon II). Philistia’s brief rejoicing would be dashed by another northern invader (Sennacherib or Nebuchadnezzar), illustrating that human power shifts but God’s word stands. Joel’s later proclamation, possibly after the Babylonian exile, promises measure-for-measure judgment for Philistian slave-raiding. History records that Alexander the Great razed Gaza (332 B.C.), and by Roman times “Philistia” survives mostly as a provincial term.

Philistia as Symbol

Because Philistia occupied the littoral between Egypt and Canaan, it often symbolizes any barrier standing between promise and fulfillment. For ministry, it depicts entrenched opposition—strongholds the gospel must penetrate yet also a mission field God intends to redeem (Psalm 87:4).

Lessons for the Church

1. Rejoice in accomplished salvation. If Philistia trembled at the Exodus, how much more should modern powers tremble at the Cross and Resurrection.
2. Trust divine timing. The rod that struck Philistia shatters (Isaiah 14:29), yet fresh discipline follows. God alone choreographs rises and falls; believers rest in His governance.
3. Guard against schadenfreude. Israel is told not to gloat (Isaiah 14:29). The LORD’s people must lament judgment even while affirming its righteousness.
4. Embrace missional hope. The same Scripture that promises doom for persistent rebellion also envisions Philistia enrolled in Zion. Pray for and evangelize former foes; grace knows no ethnic border.

Key Cross-References

Judges 13–16 — Samson’s conflict with the Philistines.

1 Samuel 17 — David’s victory over Goliath of Gath.

2 Samuel 8:1 — David subdues Philistia.

Amos 1:6-8 — Judgment on Gaza and Ashdod.

Zephaniah 2:4-7 — Promise of desolation and future pasturelands for Judah.

Summary

Philistia embodies both historical hostility and eschatological hope. Through eight direct references, Scripture proclaims that the LORD terrifies, judges, triumphs over, and finally invites Philistia. The narrative moves from dread in Exodus to potential citizenship in Zion, revealing the breadth of divine providence and mercy—a trajectory completed in Jesus Christ, who “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

פְ֝לֶ֗שֶׁת פְּ֝לֶ֗שֶׁת פְּלֶ֣שֶׁת פְּלָ֑שֶׁת פְּלָֽשֶׁת׃ פְלֶ֙שֶׁת֙ פְלֶ֣שֶׁת פלשת פלשת׃ feLeshet pə·lā·šeṯ pə·le·šeṯ p̄ə·le·šeṯ pəlāšeṯ peLashet pəlešeṯ p̄əlešeṯ peLeshetInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts