Santorini and the Philistines

“Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.” Jeremiah 47:4 

Most visitors to the idyllic island of Santorini in the Greek Cyclades come for the spectacular views, donkey rides up the mountain from the port, and romantic sunsets. Most do not know the island’s connection to the Bible’s most well-known tribe of villains: the Philistines.

Bronze Age Santorini, also known as Thera, was the site of one of history’s largest volcanic eruptions. Vast parts of the island were flung into the atmosphere, while other parts sank beneath the ocean. Scientists believe that this Theran eruption caused the collapse of the Minoan civilization on Santorini as well as on nearby Crete, known in the Bible as Caphtor. Having no where else to go, the survivors took to the sea.

The site of Akrotiri on Santorini was covered in a flood of volcanic ash and mud. As a result it is one of the best preserved sites from the Bronze Age. The survivors of the eruption here, and on Crete 50 miles away, fled to the sea. The eruption of the Thera volcano on Santorini has long been considered to be a possible inspiration for Plato’s writings on Atlantis. Photo by John Buckner

The eruption has been tentatively dated to before a curious time in antiquity. This time is known as the Bronze Age Collapse and the rise of the Sea Peoples in the Eastern Mediterranean. These Sea Peoples marauded around the Aegean and Mediterranean, before settling along the coast of the Levant where they were known as the Philistines. They are mentioned in various sources from the time, including Egyptian carvings commemorating different Pharaohs and their victories over the invaders. In addition, the earliest Philistine pottery found in excavations in Israel shows a remarkable similarity to pottery from Crete and Santorini. Furthermore, recent genetic analyses of Philistine skeletal remains point toward an Aegean origin, just as the Bible teaches.

Santorini Teaches Us to Trust the Bible

Santorini and the Philistines teach us to trust the Bible, even in tiny details, such as the origin of the Philistines. Somehow, the story of the destruction of Caphtor, and their flight from the island were preserved even among the Israelites, the Philistine’s enemies. Modern people frequently assert that science contradicts the words of Scripture, while overlooking the times where science substantiates what is written. Have you, as a believer, fallen victim to an unbelieving way of interpreting the Bible?

In Deuteronomy 2 we are told that the promised land contained many giants, much like the giants that frightened the spies Moses had sent decades earlier. Interestingly, we are told that by the time the Israelites came into the land, the giants had been for the most part displaced by groups such as the Edomites and the children of Ammon. One group, the Avims dwelling in Azzah (Gaza), were displaced by the Caphtorims from Crete. As a result of the Caphtorim conquest and settlement of the coast, when Saul and the Israelites faced the Philistine army many years later they only had to face a single giant named Goliath, not an army of giants. You may be facing a giant in your life, but you should know that God often works out of sight to handle the hordes of giants that you might have otherwise faced.

Amos 9:7 tells us that God brought the Philistines from Caphtor, just as He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Why? Perhaps He did it so that David could fight a certain Philistine, rise to prominence as a result, and found the Davidic dynasty. So, when your cruise ship docks at the port of Santorini, and you start the difficult climb up the sheer cliff, think on the volcanic caldera in front of you, and the Philistines. As you take in the tranquil view, meditate on how the eruption of Santorini set in motion events that led to the Israelites conquering Canaan far to the east, and to Jesus being called the Son of David.

About John Buckner

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