Caphtorim כַּפְתֹּרִי
Descendants of Mizraim who displaced the Avvim
Who is Caphtorim in the Bible?
The Caphtorim were descendants of Mizraim, the son of Ham and grandson of Noah, whose lineage is recorded in Genesis 10:14 and 1 Chronicles 1:12. According to Deuteronomy 2:23, the Caphtorim originated from a place called Caphtor, often identified with the island of Crete or regions in Cilicia, and migrated to Canaan where they displaced the Avvim, an earlier population who had inhabited villages extending to Gaza. This conquest and settlement occurred before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, making the Caphtorim one of several ancient peoples whose territorial movements shaped the ancient Near Eastern landscape. Their displacement of the Avvim illustrates the pattern of successive waves of migration and conquest that characterized the pre-Israelite history of Canaan.
Biography
The Caphtorim are mentioned in Gen.10.14, Deu.2.23, and 1Ch.1.12 as descendants of Mizraim, who was a son of Ham and grandson of Noah. They are listed among the peoples who descended from Egypt (Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt). According to Deu.2.23, the Caphtorim came from Caphtor and destroyed the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, and settled in their place. This event occurred before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The exact location of Caphtor is uncertain, but it is often associated with the island of Crete or the region of Cilicia in modern-day Turkey. The Caphtorim's displacement of the Avvim is one of several examples in the Bible of people groups migrating and conquering new territories.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Ludim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Mizraim; progenitor of a people groupView full profile →
- Anamim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, son of HamView full profile →
- Lehabim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Mizraim; progenitor of a people groupView full profile →
- Naphtuhim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, son of HamView full profile →
- Pathrusim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, son of HamView full profile →
- Casluhim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, ancestor of PhilistinesView full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:14
"the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites."
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Deuteronomy 1 verse
- Deuteronomy 2:23
"And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)"
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:12
"the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | כַּפְתֹּרִי | a Caphtorite (collectively) or native of Caphtor |