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.)

QUIZZES

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

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