13:3a-d

The Berean Standard Bible adds parentheses around part of this section to make it clear that this is a description of the “territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites.” These parentheses are not in the Hebrew text. You may find that parentheses are helpful, or there may be some other way to connect verses 3a-d to verse 2.

13:3a

from the Shihor east of Egypt: The term Shihor indicates a canal of the Nile River in the eastern delta of Egypt, near the present-day Suez Canal. The Shihor Canal was on the east side of Egypt, and it was the south boundary of the Philistine and Geshurite region.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

The Philistine and Geshurite region ⌊goes south⌋ to the Shihor Canal which is east of Egypt

to the territory of Ekron on the north: The phrase to the territory of Ekron on the north indicates that Ekron was the north boundary of the Philistine and Geshurite region. Ekron was a town of the Philistine people and is mentioned in 13:3d.

13:3b

considered to be Canaanite territory: The clause considered to be Canaanite territory indicates that Ekron was considered to be part of Canaan because the Philistines took it from the original Canaanite settlers.

13:3c

that of the five Philistine rulers: The clause that of the five Philistine rulers indicates that each Philistine town had its own ruler. The towns are listed in the next part of the verse.

13:3d

of Gaza: The name Gaza refers to a Philistine town in southwest Canaan, near the Mediterranean Sea.

Ashdod: The name Ashdod indicates a Philistine town 22 miles south of Joppa on the Mediterranean Sea.

Ashkelon: The name Ashkelon indicates a Philistine town on the Mediterranean Sea 32 miles south of Joppa.

Gath: The name Gath indicates a Philistine town 25 miles southeast of the town of Joppa. In later times King David fought against Goliath, who came from Gath.

and Ekron: The name Ekron indicates a Philistine town 20 miles southeast of Joppa.

13:3e

as well as that of the Avvites: The phrase that of the Avvites indicates that the Israelites must also conquer the region where the Avvim people lived. This is a third region that is mentioned, and it is parallel to the “territory of the Philistines” and the “territory of the Geshurites” (13:2b). In some languages it may be clearer to start a new sentence here.

Avvites: The Avvites are mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:23. They lived in villages near Gaza.

Here are some other ways to translate the word Avvites:

Avvim (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Avvim people

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

There is also the region of the Avvim people in the south ⌊that has not been conquered⌋

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