AnirudhaOrigins Of People
According to the Bible, the Philistines roots could be found in the Land of Caphtor. Many historians believe in that but there are some who says that they were actually raiders who traveled the Mediterranean. Right now, we have two theories about their origin but which one is true? We have the answer for that too. It all began in Egypt. Yes, in Egypt. Soon, after stepping foot in Egypt, the scholars were able to connect the dots and solved the mystery for once and all.
The Truth Lies In Egypt
It has been concluded that in 1180 B.C Pharaoh Ramses III fought with the Sea Peoples (the Philistines people). Pharaoh Ramses made sure he records every detail he could gather from these people and according to those records, there was one tribe known as the Peleset, who wore kilts and weird headwear. Historians around the globe believe that this tribe could be the lost ancestor of the Philistines. But what happened after the war?
First Reference
The Hebrew Bible describes the Philistines in the “Table of Nations”. It says that they are descended of Casluhim, son of Mizraim. However, there is conflict because the Philistines of Genesis who are said to be close to Abraham describe them the warlike people in the Deuteronomistic history. Don’t get confused with all these ancient heavy words because what is important is the fact that everything we knew or heard has changed completely. The history had to edit the pages written by the scholars back then.
Deuteronomistic History
Deuteronomist believes that the Philistines settled down in the five regions and there were “Five Lords of the Philistines”. These five cities were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. In this description, it portrays them as the Kingdom of Israel’s most threatening enemies. What one should belive was very difficult until this discovery was made that changed everything.
Settling Down
If going by the records gathered by the historians the Peleset tribe settled down in the area located in Ashkelon and later took control over the city and nearby regions. And because this is is connected with the Philistines people, it is said that the Peleset and Philistines are the same people. But not all historians agree with this theory and there is another theory which is entirely different from this theory. But soon everything was in front and the new theory surfaced because of the discovery the archeologists made.
Additional Theories
Aren Maeir from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University has spent over 20 years of his life studying thoroughly about the Philistines. According to him, the Pelest theory is very misleading. He believes that the Philistines people are a result of the people who mingled up with the several tribes in Canaan. Soon the archeologists found the origin of the Philistines people and proved everybody wrong about their reputation which has been destroyed by the Bible and several historians. Who could have imagined that something this big was hidden about these people?