PHILISTEA (anc. geog.), the country of the Philistines (Bible); which lay along the Mediterranean, from Joppa to the boundary of Egypt, and extending to inland places not far from the coast. Palæfini, the people; Palæfina, the country (Josephus): Afterwards applied to the whole of the Holy Land and its inhabitants. Philistei, the people (Septuagint); Philistini (Vulgate); the Capthorim and Philistim, originally from Egypt, and descendants of Cham (Moses). Expelled and destroyed the Hivites the ancient inhabitants, and occupied their country; that is, the region which retained the name of Philistim, in which that of Capthorim was swallowed up.