# Avim

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For the Russian male first name, see [Avim (given name)](/source/Avim_(given_name)).

The **Avim**, **Avvim** ([Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): עַוִּים‎, [Modern](/source/Modern_Hebrew): *ʿAvvīm*, [Tiberian](/source/Tiberian_vocalization): *ʿAwwīm*) or **Avvites** of Philistia in the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament) were a people dwelling in [Hazerim](/source/Hazerim), or "the villages" or "encampments", on the south-west corner of the sea-coast. Their name is first used in [Deuteronomy 2:23](https://mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0502.htm#23) in a description of the conquests that had taken place in [Canaan](/source/Canaan) before the Israelites arrived. The passage relates that they were conquered by the [Caphtorites](/source/Caphtorites) who usurped their land. They were also theorized to be [Rephaim](/source/Rephaite) based on the chapter's overall focus on [historic wars against the Rephaim](/source/Gigantomachy).[1]

A trace of them is afterwards found in [Deuteronomy 2:23](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Deuteronomy%202:23&version=nrsv).[2] These verses mention that their land was considered part of the Canaanite land to be conquered by the Israelites:

*and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.*

While the [Philistines](/source/Philistines) at the time of the Judges and the monarchy are understood to be predominantly descended from the invading Caphtorites, the [Talmud](/source/Talmud) (*Chullin 60b*) notes that the Avim were part of the [Philistine](/source/Philistine) people in the days of [Abraham](/source/Abraham) and records that they originated from Teman (land to the south). The [Table of Nations](/source/Table_of_Nations) in Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1 also mentions Philistines coming from the [Casluhim](/source/Casluhites). As part of the earlier Philistines they were subjects of [Abimelech](/source/Abimelech) who ruled from [Gerar](/source/Gerar). Because of an oath that Abraham had sworn to Abimelech the Israelites were not originally permitted to conquer their land, but after the Caphtorites had usurped them, the oath was no longer valid.

Rabbinic tradition in [Genesis Rabba](/source/Genesis_Rabba) 26:16 views them as one of the early races of giant stature together with the [Rephaites](/source/Rephaite) and others.

In the context of his [New Chronology](/source/New_Chronology_(Rohl)), [David Rohl](/source/David_Rohl) surmises that after the [Inachids](/source/List_of_kings_of_Argos#Inachid_Dynasty) were conquered by [Caphtor](/source/Caphtor), the Avim, whom he identifies as [Aamu](/source/Aamu), moved to adopt [Hathor](/source/Hathor) as patron, setting themselves up in lesser Hyksos [Egypt](/source/Egypt) as petty rulers such as [Yakbim Sekhaenre](/source/Yakbim_Sekhaenre), [Ya'ammu Nubwoserre](/source/Ya'ammu_Nubwoserre), [Qareh Khawoserre](/source/Qareh) and [Ammu Aahotepre](/source/Aahotepre). He suggests [Ahhotep II](/source/Ahhotep_II), who drove the Greater [Hyksos](/source/Hyksos) Caphtorim out of Egypt, was a descendant of this earlier Canaanite group, and became the inspiration behind the legend of [Io](/source/Io_(mythology)).[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** G. Hirsch, Emil; Seligsohn, M. (2021). ["GIANTS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230920095503/https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6658-giants). *Jewish Encyclopedia*. Archived from [the original](https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6658-giants) on 20 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** (also mentioned in [Joshua 13:3–5](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Joshua%2013:3–5&version=nrsv))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** D. Rohl, *The Lords of Avaris.* 2007

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): [Easton, Matthew George](/source/Matthew_George_Easton) (1897). *[Easton's Bible Dictionary](/source/Easton's_Bible_Dictionary)* (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons. {{[cite encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_encyclopedia)}}: Missing or empty |title= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#citation_missing_title))

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