The Philistines in the Bible were a people who lived in the southern coastal region of Canaan, in an area known as Philistia. They are described as descendants of Casluhim, related to the Egyptians, and were considered one of the main enemies of the Israelites. They were known for their advanced military technology and frequent conflicts with Israel, including famous biblical stories like David and Goliath. The Philistines occupied five main city-states: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. They were viewed as pagans, uncircumcised, and culturally distinct from the Israelites, which caused ongoing conflict between the two groups.
