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# philistine

noun (a philistine, philistines; the Philistines — Bible); adjective (philistine)

«philistine» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (Bible) The Philistines were an ancient people who lived along the coast of Canaan and were often at war with the Israelites; Goliath was a Philistine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#m1)
2. A philistine is a person who does not care about or understand art, music, books or culture. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#m2)
3. As an adjective, philistine means not caring about art and culture. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#m3)

### In the lessons

In Bible stories the Philistines are enemies of Israel in the stories of Samson and of David and Goliath. In everyday and formal speech, calling someone a philistine is an insult meaning they ignore beauty and learning. Phrases: "the Philistines", "a Philistine giant", "a complete philistine".

### Examples

- (Bible) David killed Goliath, the Philistine giant, with a sling and a stone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x1)
- (Bible) Samson fought against the Philistines. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x2)
- The Philistines lived on the coast near Gaza. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x3)
- My uncle calls anyone who doesn't like opera a philistine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x4)
- Only a philistine would paint over that beautiful old mural. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x5)
- "Museums are boring," said Ben. "You philistine!" laughed his sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/#x6)

### Note

For the ancient people it takes a capital letter: the Philistines. For the insult it is often lower case: a philistine. The insult is unfair to the real ancient people, whose art and pottery were skilled. The name Palestine is thought to come from the same word.

## In Jewish tradition

One of the Philistines, Israel's enemy on the coast. "The Philistine" usually means the giant Goliath.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads David's defeat of Goliath as the triumph of faith in God over brute strength.

### Examples

- And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. (Prophets 1SA.17.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/philistine/#x1)
- But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. (Prophets 2SA.21.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/philistine/#x2)
- And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. (Prophets 1SA.17.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/philistine/#x3)

### Note

For the ancient people it takes a capital letter: the Philistines. For the insult it is often lower case: a philistine. The insult is unfair to the real ancient people, whose art and pottery were skilled. The name Palestine is thought to come from the same word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «philistine» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/philistine/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«philistine» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/philistine.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «philistine» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/philistine/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«philistine» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/philistine.html) on Mova free.