The Prophets Saw it Coming!
Contents:
1. Prophecy and Today.
2. Palestinians and Philistines. Their Origins.
3. Philistines Confederate Against Israel!
4. The Name "PALESTINE" Means "Philistine"!
5. Ezekiel described them as "Vengeful"!
6. Zephaniah: Philistines in Gaza and links to Jordan.
7. Digression. Jordan not part of Mandate Palestine.
Was Trans-Jordan ever part of the British Mandate?
8. Zechariah foresaw the defeat of Greek Palestinians.
9. Isaiah speaks of Ephraim and Judah acting together to Transfer the Palestinians over the Sea!
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1. Prophecy and Today.
We are not Prophets but we believe in Biblical Prophecy. The Bible was written for us. The Biblical Message is sent to us.
When the Bible says something pertinent to us we should take it to heart.
We are getting closer to the End Times. Things are building up.
Contemporary events may not necessarily be a literal fulfillment of Biblical prophecy but they foreshadow it.
The Bible becomes more and more real when we see day-to-day events similar to what the Bible predicted. They are preliminary "run-up" rehearsals for the end-time scenarios.
The Future may be just around the corner.
We all saw what has been happening in the south of Israel.
We saw how a horde of about 2000 Palestinians invaded Israel, killed men, women and children and babies. They cut off the heads of some of them, others they burnt alive. They raped women and abducted children. The conflict is still continuing.
The Bible predicted that something of this nature would take place in the End Times.
This does not mean that the End Times are already here but they could be close by.
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2. Palestinians and Philistines. Their Origins.
We identify the Philistines in Biblical Prophecy with the Palestinians.
This is a simple equation.
In Biblical Times the Philistines dwelt in the southwest of Canaan around the region of Gaza, Ashekelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, Aphek, and so on. Joppa (Jaffa-Tel Aviv) was also once a Philistine settlement.
There were also Philistine settlements in the north of Israel in the area of Beth-Shean. King Saul was killed fighting the Philistines on Mount Gilboa and his body hung by the Philistines on the walls of Beth Shean (1-Samuel 31:10).
Archaeologists have come across ancient inscriptions indicating a Philistine settlement in North Syria. The Philistines were one of the traditional enemies of Israel and caused them much trouble.
The Bible says that the Philistines are descended from Mitsraim meaning Egypt.
Genesis 10:13-14 in the Table of Nations states, with regard to descendants of Mizraim, : "Mizraim begot the Ludim, the Anamim, the Lehabim, the Naphtuhim, the Pathrusim, the Casluhim, and the Caphtorim, whence The the Philistines came forth."
Here the Philistines are described as descendants of Mitsraim ("Mizraim") through two of his descendants, Casluhim, and the Caphtorim.
The Casluhim are linked to Libya in North Africa, the Caphtorim to Crete and Northern Syria. Gaza was a major Philistines city and it was also known as Minoa indicating a connection with Minoa in Crete.
DNA studies allegedly link the earliest Philistines to the Stone-Age people of southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Spain).
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/03/738586883/dna-study-reveals-philistines-were-originally-from-europe
The Philistines were also found along the Adriatic coast east of Italy. Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1508) quotes a tradion identfiying the Venetians (on the notheast coast of Italy by the Adriatic Sea) and the Genoans on the northwest Italian coast with the Philistines.
Culturally the Philistines were influenced by both Minoan (Crete) and Myceanan Greek culture.
Studies indicate that the Philistines intermixed with different peoples and that different proportions of each group in this mix could change from one period to another. They also changed culturally. In the time of Abraham and Isaac the Philistines were ruled by local kings. Later they seem to have been administered by their elders and priests and to have had more of a democratic Greek republican type arrangement..
Biblical passages and a Midrash identify the Philistines with the Canaanites. Some archaeologists agree with this saying that the mass of the common people had a Canaanite culture. The ruling elites were the ones with links to Egypt, Crete and Greece, etc. The Philistines in ancient times were quite developed and skilled in metal-work.
The Philistines therefore occupied areas later associated with the Palestinian Arabs. The Philistines were associated with Mitsraim (Egypt) and many of the present-day Palestinians descend from Egyptians who moved into the area of Palestine in the last 150 years.
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3. Philistines Confederate Against Israel!
Psalms (NKJV) 83:
5 FOR THEY HAVE CONSULTED TOGETHER WITH ONE CONSENT;
THEY FORM A CONFEDERACY AGAINST YOU:
6 THE TENTS OF EDOM AND THE ISHMAELITES;
MOAB AND THE HAGRITES;
7 GEBAL, AMMON, AND AMALEK;
PHILISTIA WITH THE INHABITANTS OF TYRE;
8 ASSYRIA ALSO HAS JOINED WITH THEM;
THEY HAVE HELPED THE CHILDREN OF LOT. SELAH
Who these peoples are in general and who is intended in this Psalm is not certain. Edom represents Continental Europe. Ishmaelites usually means Muslim Arabs. Moab could mean Jordan and related peoples listed as "Hagrites." Ammon could also mean Jordan. Alternately Spain and Portugal may be intended or other entities. Amalek are an offshoot of Edom and generally considered the most vicious enemy of Israel of them all. Philistia in this context probably means the Philistines. "Inhabitants of Tyre" may refer to the Hizbolla and company in Lebanon.
9 DEAL WITH THEM AS WITH MIDIAN,
AS WITH SISERA,
AS WITH JABIN AT THE BROOK KISHON,
10 WHO PERISHED AT EN DOR,
WHO BECAME AS REFUSE ON THE EARTH.
This is referring to the Northern Canaanites who were oppressing Israel until Deborah the Prophetess and Barak her assistant led the Israelites agaisnt them (Judges chs. 4, 5).
11 MAKE THEIR NOBLES LIKE OREB AND LIKE ZEEB,
YES, ALL THEIR PRINCES LIKE ZEBAH AND ZALMUNNA,
12 WHO SAID, LET US TAKE FOR OURSELVES
THE PASTURES OF GOD FOR A POSSESSION.
These were Midianite leaders who were captured and executed by the Israelites led by Gideon from the sub-tribe of Abiezer part of the Tribe of Gilead in Manasseh (Judges 6:11-8:32). Before then, the "Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East" and oppress the Herbrews (Judges 6:3)..
The Midianites were an Arab-like group often associated with Ishmaelites and according to Maimonides intermixed with them.
13 O MY GOD, MAKE THEM LIKE THE WHIRLING DUST,
LIKE THE CHAFF BEFORE THE WIND!
14 AS THE FIRE BURNS THE WOODS,
AND AS THE FLAME SETS THE MOUNTAINS ON FIRE,
15 SO PURSUE THEM WITH YOUR TEMPEST,
AND FRIGHTEN THEM WITH YOUR STORM.
16 FILL THEIR FACES WITH SHAME,
THAT THEY MAY SEEK YOUR NAME, O LORD.
17 LET THEM BE CONFOUNDED AND DISMAYED FOREVER;
YES, LET THEM BE PUT TO SHAME AND PERISH,
18 THAT THEY MAY KNOW THAT YOU, WHOSE NAME ALONE IS THE LORD,
ARE THE MOST HIGH OVER ALL THE EARTH.
In the End all the earth will have to acknowledge the God of Israel.
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4. The Name "PALESTINE" Means "Philistine"!
The very name "PALESTINE" mean "Philistine"! It is derived from a Latin pronounciation of the name Philistine.
Online Etymological Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Palestine
Palestine from Latin Palestina (name of a Roman province), from Greek Palaistine (Herodotus), from Hebrew Pelesheth "Philistia, land of the Philistines." Revived as an official political territorial name 1920 with the British mandate.
The Hebrew name "Peleshet" meaning Philistine is therefore helps equate the Philistines of old with present-day Palestinians.
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5. Ezekiel described them as "Vengeful"!
Ezekiel (NKJV) 25:
15 THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD: BECAUSE THE PHILISTINES DEALT VENGEFULLY AND TOOK VENGEANCE WITH A SPITEFUL HEART, TO DESTROY BECAUSE OF THE OLD HATRED, 16 THEREFORE THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD: I WILL STRETCH OUT MY HAND AGAINST THE PHILISTINES, AND I WILL CUT OFF THE CHERETHITES AND DESTROY THE REMNANT OF THE SEACOAST. 17 I WILL EXECUTE GREAT VENGEANCE ON THEM WITH FURIOUS REBUKES; AND THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEM.
Here the Philistines are being spoken of as spiteful and taking vengeance.
That is what the Palestinians are doing.
They believe the Jews dispossessed them and took their lands and they want revenge.
This is not exactly the case. The Jews were coming back to the Land that their ancestors had been driven out of. The Palestinians treated them with hostility and murderous intent which was not justified and emanated from simple prejudice against non-Muislims especially Jewish ones. The Jews acted mainly in self-defence. The Arabs left intending to return when the Jews had been massacred by invading Arab armies. The Jews however defeated the armies and took the land..
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6. Zephaniah: Philistines in Gaza and links to Jordan.
Zephaniah (NKJV) 2:
3 SEEK THE LORD, ALL YOU MEEK OF THE EARTH,
WHO HAVE UPHELD HIS JUSTICE.
SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS, SEEK HUMILITY.
IT MAY BE THAT YOU WILL BE HIDDEN
IN THE DAY OF THE LORDS ANGER.
4 FOR GAZA SHALL BE FORSAKEN,
AND ASHKELON DESOLATE;
THEY SHALL DRIVE OUT ASHDOD AT NOONDAY,
AND EKRON SHALL BE UPROOTED.
5 WOE TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEACOAST,
THE NATION OF THE CHERETHITES!
THE WORD OF THE LORD IS AGAINST YOU,
O CANAAN, LAND OF THE PHILISTINES:
I WILL DESTROY YOU;
SO THERE SHALL BE NO INHABITANT.
6 THE SEACOAST SHALL BE PASTURES,
WITH SHELTERS FOR SHEPHERDS AND FOLDS FOR FLOCKS.
7 THE COAST SHALL BE FOR THE REMNANT OF THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
THEY SHALL FEED THEIR FLOCKS THERE;
IN THE HOUSES OF ASHKELON THEY SHALL LIE DOWN AT EVENING.
FOR THE LORD THEIR GOD WILL INTERVENE FOR THEM,
AND RETURN THEIR CAPTIVES.
8 I HAVE HEARD THE REPROACH OF MOAB,
AND THE INSULTS OF THE PEOPLE OF AMMON,
WITH WHICH THEY HAVE REPROACHED MY PEOPLE,
AND MADE ARROGANT THREATS AGAINST THEIR BORDERS.
9 THEREFORE, AS I LIVE,
SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL,
SURELY MOAB SHALL BE LIKE SODOM,
AND THE PEOPLE OF AMMON LIKE GOMORRAH
OVERRUN WITH WEEDS AND SALTPITS,
AND A PERPETUAL DESOLATION.
THE RESIDUE OF MY PEOPLE SHALL PLUNDER THEM,
AND THE REMNANT OF MY PEOPLE SHALL POSSESS THEM.
The former Philistine cities of Ashkelon, Ekrin, and Ashdod are now in the State of Israel and settled by Jews from Judah.
God willing it will continue to be that way.
Gaza has yet to receive its punishment and may become desolate.
Zephaniah associates the Philistines with the "Cherethites" from Crete and with the Canaanites.
Zephaniah predicts that all that region will be possessed by Judah who will pasture his flocks there.
Zephaniah lists Moab and Ammon as allies of the Philstines and destined to share their fate.
Unlike some aspects of Scripture Prophecy can have several different applications all of them being correct.
In Ancient Times Moab and Ammon occupied part of the area east of the Jordan River, i.e. present-day Jordan.
The Nation of Jordan today is about 70% Palestinian in origin and closely associated with them as the passage in Zephaniah suggests.
Here Zephaniah is apparently referring to Jordan as we know it today.
Elsewhere in scripture the terms Moab and Ammon may refer to certain European entities.
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7. Digression. Jordan not part of Mandate Palestine.
Was Trans-Jordan ever part of the British Mandate?
Jewish Nationalists often claim the the area of Jordan was supposed to be part of the British Mandate for Palestine. They say the British cut it off and gave it the present Hashemite Arab rulers.
There was even a very famous important early Zionist political group that bore a pcviture of Mandate and Trans-Jordan as its symbol.
Trans-Jordan is the former name for Jordan.
As far as we are concerned the whole of the Middle East should belong to Israel BUT from a technical historical point of view Jordan was not part of Palestine in British Mandate terms.
We will clarify this point in a separate article.
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8. Zechariah Foresaw the Defeat of Greek Palestinians.
Zechariah (NKJV) 9:
13 FOR I HAVE BENT JUDAH, MY BOW,
FITTED THE BOW WITH EPHRAIM,
AND RAISED UP YOUR SONS, O ZION,
AGAINST YOUR SONS, O GREECE,
AND MADE YOU LIKE THE SWORD OF A MIGHTY MAN.
Zechariah is here speaking of a future combine force of Judah and Ephraim.
This will come about in the future.
They will defeat the enemies of the Hebrew Peoples.
The word translated as "Greece" in Hebrew is "Yavan" (Javan) and may refer to part of the Philistine-Palestinians who also have Greek-admixture.
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9. Isaiah speaks of Ephraim and Judah acting together to Transfer the Palestinians over the Sea!
Isaiah also speaks of a future union of Ephraim and Judah.
They will combine forces to defeat their enemie. "Ephraim" in Prophecy means the Lost Ten Trbies especially the British and North Americans.
Isaiah (NKJV) 11:
13 ALSO THE ENVY OF EPHRAIM SHALL DEPART,
AND THE ADVERSARIES OF JUDAH SHALL BE CUT OFF;
EPHRAIM SHALL NOT ENVY JUDAH,
AND JUDAH SHALL NOT HARASS EPHRAIM.
14 BUT THEY SHALL FLY DOWN UPON THE SHOULDER OF THE PHILISTINES TOWARD THE WEST;
TOGETHER THEY SHALL PLUNDER THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST;
THEY SHALL LAY THEIR HAND ON EDOM AND MOAB;
AND THE PEOPLE OF AMMON SHALL OBEY THEM.
15 THE LORD WILL UTTERLY [H]DESTROY THE TONGUE OF THE SEA OF EGYPT;
WITH HIS MIGHTY WIND HE WILL SHAKE HIS FIST OVER [I]THE RIVER,
AND STRIKE IT IN THE SEVEN STREAMS,
AND MAKE MEN CROSS OVER DRY-SHOD.
Isaiah 11:
14 BUT THEY SHALL FLY DOWN UPON THE SHOULDER OF THE PHILISTINES TOWARD THE WEST.
This should more correctly be translated as saying:
Hebrew:
'"Va-afu be-ketef plishtim yamah yachdav..."
English Literal Translation.
THEY SHALL FLY [ve-afu] BY WING [be-ketef] PHILISTINES [plishtim] TO THE WEST [yamah] TOGETHER [yachdav]...
Note according to the context (from the three preceding verses 11:11,12,13) Judah and Ephraim together are being spoken of.
They will fly the Palestinians to some place in the west, i.e. there will be a transfer of populations,
The Hebrew expression "yamah" we have translated as "towards the west" but it could also mean "over the sea."
See Also:
Transfer the Palestinians
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/gaza.html
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See Also:
Philistines as Palestinians?
A Coming Transfer of Arabs by Air predicted
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/palestinians.html
Transfer the Palestinians
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/gaza.html