Joshua 13:2

Yet remaineth. The author proceeds to enumerate the unconquered areas to the west of Jordan (vs. 2-6). He begins at the south and proceeds north and northeast to Lebanon.

Borders of the Philistines. Literally, “circles of the Philistines.” The expression probably refers to the patches of cultivated ground extending around each of the cities, which we might call “districts.” The LXX reads horia, “regions.” The Philistines were not Canaanites, but were descended from Mizraim, through Casluhim (Gen. 10:6, 13, 14; 1 Chron. 1:8, 11, 12; see on Gen. 10:14). In Gen. 21:32, 34; Gen. 26:1, 8, the Philistines are named as already inhabiting the neighborhood of Gerar, in the extreme southwestern part of Palestine, and in Gen. 10:14 as relatives of “the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor,” destroying “the Avims” and establishing themselves northward to Azzah (afterward Gaza) in what was subsequently known as “the land of the Philistines.” They are mentioned by the prophets as coming from Caphtor (Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7). At the present time there is no archeological evidence of the Philistines living in the coastal cities until about 1200 B.C. At that time they are reported to have attempted a landing in Egypt but were driven off by Ramses III, in connection with the great movement of “Sea Peoples,” which led to the downfall of the Hittite empire. However, in a number of instances the Biblical record names the Philistines as already in this coastal territory as early as the days of Abraham. There were probably repeated waves of migration from the island of Caphtor, the last or perhaps major one being about 1200 B.C., the only one attested by archeology. Further excavations may bring additional information to light.

Geshuru. These are not to be confused with the Geshurites northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The Geshuri inhabited a district lying to the south of the Philistines, on the way to Egypt or Arabia (1 Sam. 27:8).