Philistine and Israelite Identities: Some Comparative Thoughts

Abstract

Based on recent studies on the Philistine culture deriving from the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project, which indicate the complex and multi-faceted composition of the Philistine culture and its developmental trajectory, and in particular, the complex identity politics that existed in Philistia and surrounding regions (especially the Shephelah) during the Iron Age, in this paper, I explore similar indications that complex identity matrices, far more multi-faceted than the standardly used ethnic definitions (e. g. Israelite, Judahite, Canaanite, etc.), existed in Israel and Judah during the Iron Age. Based on these examples, I call for a heightened awareness and caution from simplistic identifications of various identities based on the archaeological remains.