Casluhim
Summary
A people descended from Mizraim (Egypt), from whom the Philistines originated.
☩Biblical Reference
The Casluhim are mentioned in the Table of Nations as descendants of Mizraim, the son of Ham. According to Genesis 10:14 and 1 Chronicles 1:12, from the Casluhim 'came forth the Philistim' (Philistines). Some scholars suggest there may be a textual transposition, as other passages associate the Philistines with Caphtor (Crete) rather than the Casluhim. It is possible that the Philistines originated from the Casluhim but migrated through or from Caphtor before settling in Canaan.
☩Location
The only clue to the location of the Casluhim is their place in the list between the Pathrusim (of Upper Egypt) and the Caphtorim, suggesting they were probably settled in Egypt, possibly in the region of Lower Egypt. Some scholars have proposed Cassiotis, the district containing Mount Casius near the border between Egypt and Palestine, as their homeland. The Septuagint seems to connect them with the Chashmannim mentioned in Psalm 68:31.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Casluhim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Casluhim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Casluhim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).