The Hebrew word ʻAzzâthîy, represented by H5841, is a patrial term for an Azzathite or inhabitant of Azzah, also rendered as Gazathite or Gazite. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, specifically identifying the people of one of the major Philistine cities.
In the biblical narrative, H5841 is used to define a specific group within the Philistine confederacy. In the book of Joshua, the Gazathites are listed as one of the five lords of the Philistines whose territory was counted as part of the land from Sihor to the borders of Ekron Joshua 13:3. Later, in the book of Judges, the inhabitants are called the Gazites. They are told of Samson's arrival in their city and lay in wait all night at the gate, planning to kill him in the morning Judges 16:2.
Several related patrial terms are mentioned alongside H5841, defining the other ruling groups of the Philistines:
- H6430 Pᵉlishtîy (Philistine): The overarching national identity of the people inhabiting Pelesheth, to whom the five lords, including the Gazathites, belonged Joshua 13:3.
- H796 ʼAshdôwdîy (Ashdodite): This term identifies the inhabitants of Ashdod, another of the five Philistine lords listed in the same verse as the Gazathites Joshua 13:3.
- H1663 Gittîy (Gittite): This term refers to an inhabitant of Gath, also named as one of the five Philistine lords Joshua 13:3.
- H832 ʼEshqᵉlôwnîy (Eshkalonite): This word identifies an inhabitant of Ashkelon, another of the Philistine lords mentioned in the confederacy Joshua 13:3.
The significance of H5841 is primarily historical and geographical, identifying a key group of antagonists to Israel.
- Philistine Lordship: The term is used to name one of the five ruling Philistine groups, establishing the political landscape of the region and identifying them as a major power alongside the Ashdodites, Eshkalonites, Gittites, and Ekronites Joshua 13:3.
- Adversaries of Israel's Judges: The Gazites are shown to be direct enemies of Samson. Their immediate response to his presence is to set an ambush, highlighting the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines Judges 16:2.
- Geographic Identity: The word firmly connects a people to a specific place—Azzah (Gaza)—one of the central cities in the Philistine pentapolis.
In summary, H5841 is a precise demographic label. It functions to identify the people of Azzah, one of the five principal Philistine cities. Its two appearances in scripture are brief but important, establishing the Gazathites as part of the powerful Philistine confederacy and as direct antagonists in the Samson narrative, thereby underscoring the political and military tensions of the era.
TRV