Original Word: פְלִשְׁתִּי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Plishtiy
Pronunciation: peh-lish-TEE
Phonetic Spelling: (pel-ish-tee')
KJV: Philistine
NASB: Philistines, Philistine, Philistines', Philistine's
Word Origin: [patrial from H6429 (פְּלֶשֶׁת - Philistia)]

1. a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth

Philistine

Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth -- Philistine.

see HEBREW Plesheth

Word Origin
from Pelesheth
Definition
inhab. of Philistia
NASB Translation
Philistine (33), Philistine's (2), Philistines (250), Philistines' (2).

מְּלִשְׁתִּי₂₈₈ adjective, of a people Philistine, (οί) Φυλιστιειμ; and (not in Hexateuch) (ό) ἀλλόφυλος, (οί) ἀλλόφυλοι; — only as substantive: ׳הַמּ the Philistine (Goliath) slain by David 1 Samuel 17:8 27t. 17, 1 Samuel 18:6; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Samuel 22:10; one slain byAbishai 2 Samuel 21:17; elsewhere plural the Philistines,:255 usually מְּלִשְׁתִּים without article, rarely ׳הַמּ 1 Samuel 4:7; 1 Samuel 7:13 + (especially with preposition ׳בַּמּ 1 Samuel 7:13 +, and then perhaps due to punctuators), Genesis 10:14 = 1 Chronicles 1:12; Genesis 26:14,15,18; Judges 3:31 33t. Judges; 1 Samuel 4:1 (twice in verse) + 118 t. 1Samuel; 2 Samuel 1:20 28t. 2Samuel +; ׳אֶרֶץ פ Genesis 21:32,34 12t.; ׳שְׂדֵה פ 1 Samuel 6:1; 1 Samuel 27:7,11; ׳מֶלֶךְ פ Genesis 26:1,8; ׳שָׂרֵי פ 1 Samuel 18:30 5t.; ׳סַרְנֵי פ Joshua 13:3; Judges 3:3 13t.; ׳יָם פ Exodus 23:31; ׳אֱלֹהֵי פ Judges 10:6. — compare כְּרֵתִי, II. כַּפְתּוֺר. On Philistines see also WMM^{As.u.Eur.387f.} Evans^{Cretan Pictographs, 100 ff.} Schw^{ZWT xxxiv. 103 f., 255}.

Ethnic and Geographic Identity

The term פְלִשְׁתִּי (Philistine) designates the inhabitants of the coastal plain of southwest Canaan, especially the five-city league of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron (Joshua 13:3). Originating from “Caphtor” (Amos 9:7), they settled in the land later called Philistia, whose fertile valleys and strategic ports made it a perpetual point of conflict with Israel.

The Philistine Pentapolis

Joshua records Yahweh’s promise that Israel would one day possess “all the land of the Philistines” (Joshua 13:2–3). Each city-state had its own “lords of the Philistines” (Judges 16:5), yet they acted in concert militarily and religiously, notably in the temple of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:2). Archaeology confirms advanced metallurgy, explaining the Israelites’ lack of iron weapons before the monarchy (1 Samuel 13:19–22).

Encounters in the Patriarchal Period

Genesis links Philistines with Abraham and Isaac at Gerar. Abraham “resided in the land of the Philistines for a long time” (Genesis 21:34) and made covenant with King Abimelech (Genesis 21:32). Isaac repeated the pattern, reopening wells and receiving the divine promise, “I will give all these lands to your descendants” (Genesis 26:3). Even at this early stage, Philistia symbolizes foreign domination over promised territory, yet also God’s overruling providence.

Philistines in the Period of the Judges

After Joshua, repeated Philistine oppression exposed Israel’s spiritual infidelity.
• Shamgar “struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad” (Judges 3:31).
• Samson’s account dominates Judges 13–16: “He tore the lion apart as one would tear a young goat” (Judges 14:6), executed personal vengeance, and finally collapsed the temple of Dagon, killing “more in his death than he had killed in his life” (Judges 16:30).

For forty years (Judges 13:1) Philistine dominance formed the background against which Yahweh raised intermittent deliverers, illustrating both covenant judgment and grace.

Confrontations with Saul and David

The monarchy arose largely to face Philistine pressure (1 Samuel 9:16).
• Saul’s initial victory at Michmash (1 Samuel 14) failed to break their power, and he eventually fell on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:6).
• David’s rise is inseparable from Philistine conflict: the duel with Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17:49), outlaw campaigns (1 Samuel 27), and repeated victories after his coronation (2 Samuel 5:17–25). The chronicler notes, “The fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him” (1 Chronicles 14:17)—a direct reversal of earlier Philistine intimidation.

Philistines under the United Monarchy

Solomon reigned “over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines” (1 Kings 4:21). Subsequent kings vacillated: Jehoshaphat received tribute (2 Chronicles 17:11); Jehoram suffered raids (2 Chronicles 21:16–17); Uzziah rebuilt defenses and “God helped him against the Philistines” (2 Chronicles 26:6–7); Hezekiah “defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza” (2 Kings 18:8). These cycles reflect covenant blessings for obedience and curses for apostasy (Leviticus 26).

Prophetic Oracles against Philistia

Prophets denounced Philistia’s pride and violence:
• “Because the Philistines acted in vengeance… I will stretch out My hand” (Ezekiel 25:15-17).
• “Ashkelon will see it and fear… Gaza will writhe in agony” (Zechariah 9:5-7).
• Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah echo this theme, promising ultimate judgment yet also glimpses of future inclusion: “He too will become a remnant for our God” (Zechariah 9:7).

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Testing: Philistine pressure exposed Israel’s faithlessness and highlighted Yahweh’s faithfulness.
2. Kingdom Foreshadowing: David’s triumphs prefigure Messiah’s ultimate victory over all enemies (Psalm 2).
3. Missional Advance: Prophetic visions of Philistines joining the remnant anticipate the gospel’s reach beyond ethnic Israel (Ephesians 2:11–13).

Typological and Ministry Applications

• Warfare imagery encourages spiritual vigilance (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Samson’s flawed heroism warns against compromising consecration.
• David’s encounter with Goliath illustrates reliance upon God rather than human strength (1 Samuel 17:45).
• The fall of Dagon (1 Samuel 5) proclaims the supremacy of Yahweh over all idols, bolstering confidence in evangelism and missions.

Occurrence Summary

Approximately 288 Old Testament instances span Genesis to Zechariah. The distribution centers in Judges, 1 Samuel, and 2 Samuel, tapering in Kings, Chronicles, and the Prophets.

Select Key References

Genesis 21:34; Exodus 13:17; Joshua 13:2–3; Judges 3:31; Judges 13:1; 1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 5:2–4; 1 Samuel 17:45; 2 Samuel 5:17–25; 2 Kings 18:8; 1 Chronicles 14:17; Isaiah 14:29–31; Jeremiah 47:1–7; Ezekiel 25:15–17; Amos 1:6–8; Zechariah 9:5–7; Zephaniah 2:4–7.

Summary

Strong’s 6430 portrays a formidable yet ultimately doomed foe whose conflicts with Israel reveal God’s justice, mercy, and sovereign plan culminating in Christ’s kingdom.

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜ים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים֮ בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים בפלשתים בפלשתים׃ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֣י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֤י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֥י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֨י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי׃ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי֙ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ הפלשתי הפלשתי׃ הפלשתים וְהַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ וּמִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים ׀ וּפְלִשְׁתִּיִּ֥ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙ ובפלשתים ובפלשתים׃ והפלשתים ומפלשתים ופלשתיים ופלשתים כַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים כפלשתים לַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים לַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים לַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ לַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ לפלשתים לפלשתים׃ מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים מִפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ מפלשתים מפלשתים׃ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֜ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֤ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים פְּלִשְׁתִּ֧ים פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒ פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ פְּלִשְׁתּ֗ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים ׀ פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ פְלִשְׁתִּים֩ פְלִשְׁתִּים֮ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים פלשתים פלשתים׃ bap·pə·liš·tîm ḇap·pə·liš·tîm bappelishTim bappəlištîm ḇappəlištîm felishTim hap·pə·liš·tî hap·pə·liš·tîm happelishTi happelishTim happəlištî happəlištîm kap·pə·liš·tîm kappelishTim kappəlištîm lap·pə·liš·tîm lappelishTim lappəlištîm mip·pə·liš·tîm mippelishTim mippəlištîm pə·liš·tîm p̄ə·liš·tîm pə·liš·tm pelishTim pelishTm pəlištîm p̄əlištîm pəlištm ū·ḇap·pə·liš·tîm ū·mip·pə·liš·tîm ū·p̄ə·liš·tî·yîm ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm ūḇappəlištîm ufelishTim ufelishtiYim umippelishTim ūmippəlištîm ūp̄əlištîm ūp̄əlištîyîm uvappelishTim vappelishTim vehappelishTim wə·hap·pə·liš·tîm wəhappəlištîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts