Philistines

Cultural  

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

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

Example Sentences

After crushing a Jewish revolt in the second century, Emperor Hadrian sought to sever the Jewish connection to the land by renaming the province “Syria Palaestina”—a name derived from the long-vanished Philistines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, the Israelites face threats from the rival army of Philistines and the menacing scavenger tribe of Amalekites.

From The Wall Street Journal

The impoverished Palestinian territory was an important trading post for civilisations as far back as the ancient Egyptians and the Philistines depicted in the Bible, through the Roman empire and the crusades.

From Reuters

These Super Glue subversives have been derided as publicity-seeking Philistines and hailed as martyrs for a vital cause.

From Washington Post

The Goliaths from Dallas were there — they even brought their own logo-emblazoned benches to go with the throngs of blue-clad Philistines in the stands.

From Washington Times