PHILISTÆA, in Ancient Geography, the country
of the Philistines (Bible); which lay along the Medi-
terranean, from Joppa to the boundary of Egypt, and
extending to inland places not far from the coast. Pa-
lastini, the people; Palastina, the country (Josephus):
Afterwards applied to the whole of the Holy Land and
its inhabitants. Philistai, the people (Septuagint):
Philistini (Vulgate); the Caphorim and Philistim, ori-
ginally from Egypt, and descendants of Cham (Moses).
Expelled and destroyed the Hivites the ancient inhabi-
tants, and occupied their country; that is, the region
which retained the name of Philistim, in which that of
Caphorim was swallowed up.