Lecture Notes: The Real Origin of the Philistines

Lecture Introduction

• Lecturer: Seth Fleischman
• Host: Nick Barksdale, "The Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages" YouTube Channel
• Guest: Seth Fleischman, "World History by a Jew" YouTube Channel

Goliath and David: The Classic Story

• Setting: Israelites vs. Philistines in Israel
• Goliath: Philistine giant challenging Israelites
• David: Shepherd boy who defeated Goliath with a slingshot
• Result: Philistines fled, Israelite victory
• Key Questions:
  • Was Goliath a Philistine or a Palestinian?
  • Should we say Israel or Palestine?
  • Are Philistines and Palestinians the same?
  • What are their real origins?

Bronze Age Collapse Overview

• Circa 1300 BCE: High civilization, powerful empires
• Key players: Mycenaeans (Greeks), Hittites, Mitanni (Syria), Egypt
• Trade: Sophisticated international trade and diplomacy
• Collapse Reasons:
  • Extended drought
  • Earthquake storm
  • Technological imbalance
  • Overdependence on trade
  • Bad leadership and bloated bureaucracies
  • Invasion of the Sea Peoples

The Sea Peoples

• Characteristics: Confederation of seafaring people, some land-based
• Key Groups:
  • Pelashet (Philistines)
  • Luka, Sherden, Shekelash, etc.
• Impact: Attack and destruction across Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Sicily, Greece
• Aftermath:
  • Mycenaean Greeks and Hittites empires collapse
  • Egypt survives but loses superpower status
  • Significant city-states destroyed
  • Some Sea Peoples settle in Canaan, including Philistines

Introduction to the Philistines

• Name Origin: From Egyptian term "Peleset" and Hebrew "Pelishtim"
• Biblical References: Over 250 mentions in the Bible
• Cities (Pentapolis): Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron, Ashdod
• Cultural Associations: Often associated with being uncircumcised

Philistines in the Bible

• Period: Era of Judges and early Kings
• Key Stories: Samson, Battle of Ebenezer, Battle of Michmash
• Philistines vs. Israelites: Centennial conflicts, strategic battles, David's rise to monarchy
• Final Defeat: By King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

Philistine Origins According to the Bible

• Genealogy: Ham -> Mitzrayim (Egypt) -> Philistines
• Connection to Crete: Via biblical names and extra-biblical sources like Acadian and Egyptian records

Archaeological Evidence of Philistine Pottery

• Types of Pottery: Identified types used by Philistines
• Comparison: Philistine pottery vs. Canaanite and Israelite pottery
• Greek Influence: Close resemblance to Mycenaean Greek pottery

DNA Evidence and Studies

• Recent Discoveries: 2016 finding of Philistine cemetery in Ashkelon
• DNA Studies: 2019 & 2020 results:
  • Early Philistines: Mixed Canaanite-Greek DNA
  • Later Philistines: Primarily Canaanite DNA
  • Modern Implications:
    • Modern Israelis: Half DNA from ancient Canaanites
    • Modern Palestinians: Also half of their DNA from Canaanites

Modern Israel and Palestinian Identity

• Historical Context: Romans named the area Palestine in 135 CE
• Jewish Use of Name: Jewish organizations and people referred to themselves as Palestinians pre-1948
• Modern Identity Shift:
  • Jews became Israelis (circa 1948-1950)
  • Palestinian Arabs became known as Palestinians (circa 1964-1968)

Conclusion

• Key Questions Revisited:
  • Goliath was a Philistine
  • Israel is the modern country; Palestine is a historical term
  • Philistines and Palestinians are not the same
• Real Origins of Philistines: Settlement around 1175 BCE by Sea Peoples including those from Crete, Greece, Sardinia
• Modern Identity Implications: Jews return with significant ancient ties; Palestinians descend from ancient Canaanites