כַּסְלֻחִים (kas.lu.chim)
kas.lu.chim
Casluhim
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term Kasluhim refers to a specific group mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis 10:14 and 1 Chronicles 1:12. They are identified as descendants of Mizraim, the biblical name for Egypt, placing them within the broader network of nations tracing their origins to Noah’s grandson.
Lexical sources suggest the name may mean "fortified," though its exact etymology remains uncertain and the people themselves are not historically identifiable outside these lists. The text links them closely with other Egyptian groups like the Pathrusim and the Caphtorim, noting that they served as progenitors for both the Philistines and the Caphtorim.
This connection highlights the complex ethnic movements in the ancient Near East, where populations migrated and intermingled across regions. By tracing the Kasluhim back to Egypt and forward to the Philistines, these brief genealogical records illustrate how early Israelite tradition understood the relationships between neighboring peoples and their shared roots in the wider world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Bible often traces family lines to show how nations are connected. In Genesis and Chronicles, the Kasluhim appear as part of Egypt’s descendants. This simple list reminds us that all people groups share a common origin in Noah’s family. God’s plan includes every nation, not just Israel.
These records also show how cultures influence each other over time. The text links the Kasluhim to the Philistines, neighbors who often opposed Israel. Yet this connection reveals that even rival peoples have shared roots. It invites us to see history as part of God’s broader story of humanity.
When we read these names, we remember that God knows every tribe and tongue. His grace extends beyond borders. We can trust that He guides all nations toward His purposes, even when their paths cross ours in conflict or cooperation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] Casluhites2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:14
Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.
This verse places the Kasluhim within Egypt’s lineage and explicitly notes their role as ancestors of the Philistines, highlighting ethnic connections in the ancient Near East.
-
I Chronicles 1:12
Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
The Chronicler repeats this genealogy to affirm Israel’s understanding of its neighbors’ origins, showing continuity in how early Jews viewed regional relationships.