3695. Kasluchim
Lexical Summary
Kasluchim: Kasluchim

Original Word: כַּסְלֻחִים
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: Kacluchiym
Pronunciation: kas-loo-kheem'
Phonetic Spelling: (kas-loo'-kheem)
KJV: Casluhim
NASB: Casluh, Casluhim
Word Origin: [a plural probably of foreign derivation]

1. Casluchim, a people cognate to the Egyptians

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Casluhim

A plural probably of foreign derivation; Casluchim, a people cognate to the Egyptians -- Casluhim.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a people desc. from Mizraim, probably ancestors of the Philistines
NASB Translation
Casluh (1), Casluhim (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
כַּסְלֻחִים proper name, of a people Genesis 10:14 (ᵐ5 D Ξασμωνιειμ, ᵐ5L Ξασλωνιειμ E Ξαλοειμ) = 1 Chronicles 1:12 (A Ξασλωνιειμ, ᵐ5L Ξασλωειμ), among the sons of מִָצְרַיִם not identified; conjectures in Thes Di.

כִּסְלֹת תָּבוֺר see כְּסֻלּוֺת above

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrences

Genesis 10:14 and 1 Chronicles 1:12 list the Casluhites among the descendants of Mizraim, Egypt’s eponymous ancestor. The Berean Standard Bible records: “Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorites” (Genesis 10:13-14). The Chronicler reiterates the same genealogy. Beyond these two notices Scripture is silent, yet the placement within the Table of Nations situates the Casluhites firmly within the post-Flood dispersion narrative.

Lineage and Genealogical Significance

1. Son-group of Mizraim: Their inclusion under Mizraim underscores an ethnic linkage with Egypt while also distinguishing them from other branches such as the Pathrusites and Caphtorites.
2. Ancestors of the Philistines: Genesis 10:14 explicitly states that the Philistines emerged “from” the Casluhites. This small parenthetical note is weighty, providing the earliest biblical explanation for Philistine origins, later echoed in Amos 9:7 and Jeremiah 47:4 with reference to Caphtor. Scripture therefore traces Philistine roots to an Egyptian offshoot that later migrated to the coastal Levant.

Geographical Setting

The Hebrew narrative places the Casluhites somewhere within the wider Egyptian sphere. Several scholars equate them with people groups attested in Egyptian texts—such as “Kasluhiu” or “Keseluh”—who occupied the western Nile Delta or the Libyan fringe. While precise borders elude modern cartography, the data point toward a region close enough to Egypt for genealogical association and near enough to the Mediterranean to enable subsequent movement toward Canaan.

Connection with the Philistines

The Table of Nations portrays the Philistines not as Canaanites but as later arrivals from an Egyptian-related stock. This resolves the apparent tension between Joshua’s description of “the land of the Philistines” among Canaanite territories (Joshua 13:2-3) and Deuteronomy 2:23’s notice of Caphtorite incursions: both events can coexist if the Casluhites first generated the Philistines, who were then joined—or displaced—by Caphtorite kin. The Bible’s consistent internal linkage affirms a complex, multi-staged Philistine ethnogenesis, fully compatible with the archaeological picture of Sea Peoples entering the Levant in the twelfth century B.C.

Historical and Archaeological Considerations

Egyptian records mention groups whose names resemble Casluhites (e.g., “Kasluha”) during the New Kingdom era. Tools, pottery, and inscriptions discovered in the western Delta show cultural intersections among Libyan, Egyptian, and Aegean peoples. Such findings harmonize with Genesis by illustrating a corridor for migration from Egypt to the southern coastal plain of Canaan, where Philistine pentapolis cities later flourished.

Theological Themes

1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations: The brief genealogy demonstrates that every ethnic lineage arises under divine governance (Acts 17:26). Even hostile peoples like the Philistines trace back to a family line known and recorded by the Lord.
2. Promise and Providence: The later conflicts between Israel and Philistia (Judges 13–16; 1 Samuel 4–31) accomplish God’s redemptive aims, foreshadowing Davidic victories and ultimately Christ’s triumph over all enemies (Psalm 2). The origin note in Genesis 10:14 reminds readers that God’s foreknowledge encompasses future adversaries.

Application for Ministry and Faith

• Genealogies Matter: Preachers can reassure modern audiences that the seemingly arcane genealogical data ground the biblical account in real history, reinforcing confidence in scriptural authority.
• Ethnic Diversity in God’s Plan: The Casluhites illustrate how God weaves multiple nations into His purposes. This encourages the church to view every people group—ancient or modern—as significant within God’s unfolding mission (Revelation 7:9).
• Spiritual Vigilance: Just as Israel faced formidable foes descended from the Casluhites, believers today confront spiritual adversaries. The record of Israel’s eventual victory implies that persistence in faith, empowered by God, secures triumph over opposition (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Summary

The Casluhites, though mentioned only twice, occupy a strategic place in Scripture’s portrayal of post-Flood nations. As Egyptian-related progenitors of the Philistines, they form a bridge between Africa and the Levant, between genealogical record and salvation history. Their short cameo in the sacred text serves the larger purpose of showcasing God’s meticulous orchestration of human events toward His redemptive ends.

Forms and Transliterations
כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים כסלחים kas·lu·ḥîm kasluChim kasluḥîm
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 10:14
HEB: פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים וְאֶת־ כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצְא֥וּ
NAS: and Pathrusim and Casluhim (from which
KJV: And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came
INT: and Pathrusim and Casluhim which came

1 Chronicles 1:12
HEB: פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים וְאֶת־ כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצְא֥וּ
NAS: Pathrus, Casluh, from which
KJV: And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came
INT: Pathrus Casluh which came

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3695
2 Occurrences


kas·lu·ḥîm — 2 Occ.

3694
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