LORDS OF THE PHILISTINES. The chieftains or ‘tyrants’ of the five Philistine cities, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. Wherever they are mentioned ( Joshua 13:3 , Judges 3:3; Judges 16:5; Judges 16:8; Judges 16:18; Judges 16:27; Jdg 16:30 , 1 Samuel 5:8; 1 Samuel 5:11; 1Sa 6:4; 1 Samuel 6:12; 1 Samuel 6:16; 1Sa 6:18; 1 Samuel 7:7; 1 Samuel 29:2; 1Sa 29:8; 1 Samuel 29:7 , 1 Chronicles 12:19 ) the word translated ‘lord’ is a peculiar one, being identical with the Heb. word for ‘axle.’ Once ( 1 Samuel 18:30 ) the Heb. word for ‘princes’ is applied to them. Probably the peculiar word is a native Philistine title. Their functions, so far as can be gathered from the OT, were the same as those of petty kings.
George A. Barton.
Complete and trustworthy, Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible is a thorough reference (5,915 entries) for all readers of the Bible. For nearly a century, lay people and scholars alike have valued the authoritative contents and the convenient format of this one-volume work.Wikipedia
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