Page 272 - Coincidences in the Bible and in Biblical Hebrew

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CHAPTER 19 NON-HEBREW NAMES OF SELF-PROCLAIMED FOES OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
CHAPTER 19 NON-HEBREW NAMES OF SELF-PROCLAIMED FOES OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL 251
the following years, acts of violence by members of PLO have killed and maimed
hundreds of Israelis and Jews.
This first period, as just described, was followed by a period of reconciliation

that started with the Oslo Accords, formally signed between the PLO , headed by
Arafat , and the state of Israel , in 1993. This was a period that was characterized
by a series of interim accords, as both parties to the Oslo Accords attempted to
move forward toward a settlement of their historic dispute. Although acts of ter-
rorism against Israelis did not stop at this era, they were relatively subdued relative
to the more recent period, started in 2000, that was initiated with the breakout of
the intifada , while Arafat was the president of the Palestinian Authority. The last
period was characterized by hundreds of suicide bombings, which have killed and
maimed thousands of Israelis, Jews, and non-Jews. This intifada continued until
the death of Arafat in 2004.

In Hebrew, the root of the name Arafat is: A.R.F 5

This root has only extremely unfavorable meanings in Hebrew, and it is the
source to such negatively tilted words in at least six different places in the Bible.

19.5 The Philistines (Biblical Times)

The Bible relates to the Philistines no fewer than 253 times. In biblical times, the

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Philistines occupied the region of Philistia (Pleshet, roughly today’s Gaza Strip).
As conveyed in the Bible, the Philistines were sworn enemies of the children of
Israel , fought them in countless wars, and have caused them trouble for many
centuries. In fact, even the prophets relate to them when they detail prophecies
for days to come.

The first encounter between the Jews and the Philistines is related in Genesis.

As the story is told, “Abraham reproved Abimelech ” (the ruler of the Philistines)
“because of the well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away;
And Abimelech said, I know not who has done this thing, neither did thou tell
me, neither yet heard I of it, but today” (Gen. 21:26). Such encounters persisted
with Isaac, and more violent encounters that involved wars are related in the book
of Judges, the first and second books of Samuel, and the first and second books

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of Kings. King David was the first to conquer the land of the Philistines, Pleshet,

in a series of wars and combats that have begun with the famous story of David,
the youngster, striking Goliath with a stone. Later wars involved various kings of

Israel and Judah, like Hezekiah , the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, who “smote the