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What is Philistia?
        PHILIS'TIA
        (land of sojourners), in Ps 60:8; Ps 87:4; Ps 108:9, the only places where the word "Philistia" occurs, is the same Hebrew word elsewhere translated "Palestine." "Palestine" originally meant only the district inhabited by the "Philistines." In Ps 83:7 the word is rendered "Philistines." Josephus calls these people "Palestines."
        

        Situation and Extent. - Philistia, or the "land of the Philistines," included the coast-plain on the south-west of Palestine, from Joppa on the north to the valley of Gerar on the south, a distance of about 40 miles, and from the Mediterranean on the west to the Judaean hills. Its breadth at the northern end was 10 miles, and at the southern about 20. It appears to have extended as far inland as Beersheba. Gen 21:33-34; Ex 26:1, Gen 26:14-18; Ex 23:31; Josh 13:2-3. Warren limited it, somewhat more closely, to the plain reaching 32 miles from Ekron to Gaza, with a breadth of from 9 to 16 miles. It is bounded on the north by the plain of Sharon, east by the hill-country, south by "the south country," and west by the Mediterranean.
        

        Physical Features, - Along the whole sea-board are white sandy dunes. Behind these is the broad undulating plain, from 50 to 300 feet above the sea-level, with a deep rich soil. To the east of this plain is found a series of low spurs and undulating ground culminating in hogs' backs, running nearly north and south, and rising in places 1200 feet above the ocean; to the east of these is a steep descent of about 500 feet to the valleys, and east of these the hill-country of Judah begins. From the deep and narrow ravines of the hill-country rapid torrents roll during the rainy season. On coming into the plain the water forms marshes and pools, and quietly sinks away, most of the water reaching the ocean underground. The sand from the shore is constantly encroaching upon the fertile land. This whole great maritime plain was called in the Hebrew the Shephelah, signifying properly "low country," and sometimes so rendered in the English version, 2 Chr 26:10; 2 Chr 28:18, as likewise the "low plains," 1 Chr 27:28; 2 Chr 9:27; the "plain," Jer 17:26; the "valley." Josh 11:16; Judg 1:9.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'philistia' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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