Deuteronomy 2:23

23 and the `Avvim, who lived in villages as far as `Aza, the Kaftorim, who came forth out of Kaftor, destroyed them, and lived in their place.)

Deuteronomy 2:23 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:23

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Clayton's Chronology of the Hebrew Bible, p. 65.
F6 Phaleg. l. 4. c. 32. col. 291, 292.

Deuteronomy 2:23 In-Context

21 a people great, and many, and tall, as the `Anakim; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and lived in their place;

22 as he did for the children of Esav, who dwell in Se`ir, when he destroyed the Hori from before them; and they succeeded them, and lived in their place even to this day:

23 and the `Avvim, who lived in villages as far as `Aza, the Kaftorim, who came forth out of Kaftor, destroyed them, and lived in their place.)

24 Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon: behold, I have given into your hand Sichon the Amori, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

25 This day will I begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of you.