Caphtor
Summary
A maritime country identified as the original homeland of the Philistines, variously identified with Crete, Cyprus, Cappadocia, or a region in Egypt.
☩Biblical References
Caphtor is mentioned three times as the primitive seat of the Philistines (Deuteronomy 2:23; Jeremiah 47:4; Amos 9:7). The inhabitants are called Caphtorim, identified as descendants of Mizraim, son of Ham (Genesis 10:14; 1 Chronicles 1:12). Jeremiah designates it as an 'isle' or coast-land from which God brought the Philistines. Amos parallels God's bringing Israel from Egypt with His bringing the Philistines from Caphtor.
☩The Crete Theory
Many scholars identify Caphtor with the island of Crete. Arguments include: (1) Jeremiah's use of 'island'; (2) the Philistines are called 'Cherethites,' which may mean Cretans (Ezekiel 25:16; Zephaniah 2:5); (3) an ancient city Aptera existed in Crete. However, objections include the improbability that a small island could send forth so many emigrants so early, and that the Phoenicians would allow a seafaring race to settle nearby.
☩The Egyptian Connection
Since the Caphtorim descended from Mizraim (Egypt), many scholars locate Caphtor in or near Egypt. Egyptian monuments mention a land called Kefti from the time of Thothmes III, whose inhabitants are portrayed with Western features unlike Semites. The similarity between Hebrew Caphtor and Egyptian Kebtu (Coptos) has led some to connect Caphtor with the Coptite nome in Upper Egypt. The word 'isle' in Jeremiah may simply mean any maritime coast, not necessarily an island.
☩Historical Migration
The migration from Caphtor must have been very early, since Philistines were already established in Palestine in Abraham's time. The Septuagint, Targums, and other ancient versions rendered Caphtor as 'Cappadocia,' but this identification is now generally rejected. Some scholars suggest multiple migrations: first from Casluhim, then reinforcements from Caphtor, with Crete as an intermediate resting place. The question remains unresolved, though the Egyptian connection through Mizraim suggests proximity to Egypt.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Caphtor," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Caphtor; Caphtorim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Caphtor," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. II (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Caphtor," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).