כַּפְתֹּר
𐤊𐤐𐤕𐤓
Kafetor
H3731 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Kaphtor; a geographic name referring to a distant territory or island, regarded in biblical tradition as the original homeland of certain seafaring peoples, most notably the Philistines. In biblical context, Kaphtor denotes a region associated with the origins of the Philistines and possibly other related groups. Its precise geographic identification remains debated, but it is depicted as a maritime region or island, likely located in the eastern Mediterranean.
Semantic Range
proper name of a place/region; homeland of seafaring groups; place of origin for the Philistines
Root / Etymology
Root/etymology uncertain. The connection to a common noun כַּפְתּוֹר (kaphtor, 'knob', 'capital', or 'round object') has been suggested, with some speculating the place name may derive from a perceived shape or topographical feature. However, the toponym Kaphtor is not securely linked to this root and may be loaned from a non-Semitic language.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, כַּפְתֹּר (Kaphtor) is cited as the point of origin for the Philistines (see Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4; Deuteronomy 2:23). The context consistently situates Kaphtor as an external land from which the Philistines migrated to the coast of Canaan. Ancient Near Eastern sources echo the term in related forms (e.g., Egyptian Keftiu, Akkadian Kaptara), leading many scholars to associate Kaphtor with Crete or the Aegean region, though precise identification is debated—alternatives include other Mediterranean islands or lands. The term is not descriptive of ethnic or religious identity but refers to geography. English translations (e.g., 'Caphtor') often transliterate rather than translate, reflecting persistent uncertainty about its location. Usage of 'wreath-shaped island' in some older English sources is interpretive and not an intrinsic element of the Hebrew term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (Amos 9:7) כַּפְתּוֹר; apparently the same as כַּפְתֹּר; Caphtor (i.e. a wreath-shaped island), the original seat of the Philistines; Caphtor.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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כפתר (uncertain) (k-p-t-r (uncertain)) — uncertain; possibly knob, capital, rounded object
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3731-02 |
מִ/כַּפְתּ֔וֹר | mikafetor | HR/Np |
from Caphtor | from Kaphtor | 2 |
H3731-01 |
כַפְתּֽוֹר | khafetor | HNp |
of Caphtor | Kaphtor | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3731-02 |
Deuteronomy 2:23 | מִ/כַּפְתּ֔וֹר | mikafetor | HR/Np |
from-Caphtor | from Kaphtor |
H3731-01 |
Jeremiah 47:4 | כַפְתּֽוֹר | khafetor | HNp |
of Caphtor | Kaphtor |
H3731-02 |
Amos 9:7 | מִ/כַּפְתּ֖וֹר | mikafetor | HR/Np |
from Caphtor | from Kaphtor |