דברי הימים א, פרק א׳, פסוק י״ב

Tracing the descendants of Egypt provides a detailed map of the human and geographical landscape of several ancient nations, culminating with the emergence of the Philistines. A defining feature shared by all these groups—the Pathrusim, Casluhim, Philistines, and Caphtorim—is their deep and enduring connection to the sea [רש״י]. The Pathrusim, in particular, are often mentioned in biblical history as a parallel identity for the Egyptian people themselves [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The origins of the Philistines present a complex historical picture. One approach traces their lineage directly back to the Casluhim [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Another perspective views them as a mixed people, emerging from a blending of both the Pathrusim and the Casluhim, or as a group that simply migrated from their shared territory. In essence, the Philistines were foreigners who eventually invaded and settled in a new land from elsewhere [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. An ancient tradition offers a more specific look at this blending, suggesting that the Pathrusim and Casluhim routinely exchanged wives, and the Philistine nation was born from this exact mixture [רש״י].

The genealogy concludes with the Caphtorim. Their placement at the end serves to circle back to the start of the lineage, indicating that Egypt himself was their direct father [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Geographically and historically, this group is identified as the inhabitants of the island of Caphtor, which corresponds to the modern-day island of Crete [ביאור שטיינזלץ].