The Five Lords of the Philistines and the Avvim

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 22:8

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"The five lords of the Philistines" (Joshua 13:3). Scripture opens by saying five, yet it goes on to reckon six. Rabbi Yochanan said: their handles [the staffs, or scepters, of the lords] were five. Rav Chisda said to Rav Telifa bar Avina: Go write "their handles" in your letter and explain it; for it is written, "and the Avvim that dwell in the villages" (and so the sixth people is accounted for). And this differs with Rav, for Rav said: the Avvim came from Teiman [the south]. And why is their name called Avvim? Because they ruined [iv'u] their place. Another explanation: because they desired [iv'u] many gods. Another explanation: because everyone who saw one of them was seized by a convulsion [ivit]. And they had sixteen rows of teeth, every single one of them.

Themes

Holy LandNationsWar

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