Philistines

[ (fil-uh-steenz, fi-lis-tinz, fi-lis-teenz) ]

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In the Old Testament, enemies of the Israelites in their settlement in the Promised Land. (See David and Samson.)

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notes for Philistines

A “philistine” has come to mean a person who is ignorant and uncultured.

He was wrong, of course, even scripturally: the Philistines loved Goliath.
Shaq, Year One|Charles P. Pierce|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The recession has empowered the new philistines by raising the stakes on their narrow reasoning.
Richard Hofstadter and America’s New Wave of Anti-Intellectualism|David Masciotra|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The Syrians from the east, and, the Philistines from the west: and they shall devour Israel with open mouth.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

Think of Samson, who slew a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass!
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
This was the part of the land inhabited by the Philistines, against whom the Israelites had so many and such bitter fights.
Round the Wonderful World|G. E. Mitton
He scoffed at the Philistines, who daily went along the same measured way.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)|Richard Muther