And the Avim, which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto
Azzah
The same with the Avites, who appear to have inhabited some part
of the land of the Philistines, in which Azzah or Gaza was, which
was one of the five lordships of the Philistines, ( Joshua 13:3 ) . The
word Hazerim signifies courts, and a learned man F5
interprets it of tents or huts placed in a square or circular
form, so as to have an area in the middle; and in such the Avim
may be supposed to dwell, while in Palestine, as far as Gaza:
the Caphtorim, which came from out of Caphtor, destroyed
them;
according to the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and the
Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, these were Cappadocians,
that came out of Cappadocia; but it seems manifest that they were
originally of Egypt, see ( Genesis
10:14 ) and Bochart F6 thinks they went from thence into
that part of Cappadocia that was near Colchis; but things not
answering their expectations, they returned, and drove out the
Avim from their country:
and dwelt in their stead; (See Gill on Jeremiah 47:4) (See Gill on Amos 9:7). Though it seems as if they were not utterly destroyed, but some escaped into Assyria, and settled there, where was a place called Ava from them; and from whence they were sent by the king of Assyria to repeople the cities of Samaria, after the captivity of the ten tribes; see ( 2 Kings 17:24 ) . Now these several instances are observed to encourage the children of Israel to hope and believe that they should be able to dispossess the Canaanites, and inherit their land; such dispossessions having been very frequent, when it was the will of God they should take place.