Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 12:2 (Spring 1971)
Article: The Problem of the Caphtorim
Author: James E. Jennings

GJ 12:2 (Spr 71) p. 23

The Problem of the Caphtorim

James E. Jennings

Instructor in Near Eastern Civilizations
University of Akron

[Illustrations by Virginia Benson]

The problem of the ethnic derivation of peoples in the ancient Near East, not to mention the investigation of their inter-relationships, forms an extremely complex study.

The famous “Table of Nations” in Genesis chapter 10 has been called by W. F. Albright “an astonishingly accurate document.” It supplies us with the first Biblical reference to a people of extraordinary interest, not only to the Hebrews, but to the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Canaanites as well. The problem raised by the question of the origin of this race has produced an avalanche of scholarly literature, none of which has advanced much beyond the classic, almost ironic, terseness of Deuteronomy 2:23: “The Caphtorim…came forth out of Caphtor.” Where was Caphtor? Who were the Caphtorim? These are the fascinating questions which we shall proceed to investigate.

Who Were the Caphtorim?

The question, “Who were the Caphtorim” is not quite as simple as one may gather by consulting the average atlas or ancient history text. The Bible nowhere specifically gives a location for the land of Caphtor, although it seems to be an island or coastland from the reference in Jeremiah 47:4. Likewise, the Philistines are said to have come from Caphtor, but beyond this the Bible gives very little information. Other languages in the Near East have provided words which are linguistically parallel to the Hebrew term Caphtor, as the Egyptian Keftiu, and the Akkadian Kaptara. These diverse literatures provide supplementary clues which are of great value in analyzing the problem.

GJ 12:2 (Spr 71) p. 24

The search for a homeland for these mysterious people has been expanded into the far corners of the ancient world, though it must be admitted, without conclusive results. The nature of the inquiry and its significance has been succinctly stated by H. R. Hall:

One of the most important inquiries in the ancient history of the Near East relates to the explanation, in the light of modern archaeological research, of the Egyptian records of connections…with certain seafaring tribes of the Mediterranean coasts, apparently Cyprus, the southern coast of Asia Minor, Crete, and the Aegean.1

A great variety of views has emerged from the study of the sources. The translators of the LXX rendered “Caphtor” as “Cappadocia,”You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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