‘And Mizraim begat Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim and Pathrusim and Casluhim, from where the Pelishtim (Philistines) and Caphtorim went out.'
All these names are plural and represent peoples. The Ludim became famous bowmen and are connected with Egypt and Cush in Jeremiah 46:9 (compare possibly Isaiah 66:19). The Lehabim may equate with Lubim (2 Chronicles 12:3) and refer to the Libyans, but this is uncertain. Pathrusim - from pa to ris = ‘the land south' - are the inhabitants of Upper Egypt. The Anamim and Casluhim are unknown with any certainty.
“From where the Philistines and Caphtorim went out”. This interesting comment reveals that originally the Philistines and Caphtorim came from Africa from where they went to the Aegean, settling in Crete and elsewhere, but the African connection was before the time for which we have external confirmation. Again we have a demonstration of ancient knowledge of pre-history associated with Egypt which would serve to confirm pre-Mosaic connections with this Table of Nations.
In Amos 9:7 the Philistines are described as ‘from Caphtor', and Jeremiah speaks of them as ‘the remnant of the isle (or sea coast) of Caphtor' connecting them with Tyre and Sidon (Jeremiah 47:4). In Deuteronomy there is mention of ‘the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor', and as we see in this passage the Philistines and the Caphtorim are related. Caphtor is in fact Crete, referred to in Cuneiform documents as Kaptara (in the Mari archives - 18th century BC and later at Ugarit in Akkadian), and in Egyptian Kaftiu from an original Kaftaru (represented in 15th century BC tomb chapels at Thebes). There is little doubt that they can also be connected with the Cherethites (2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7; 2 Samuel 20:23; Zephaniah 2:5). To some extent the names were used interchangeably.
At this stage there is no mention of Philistine connection with Canaan. The invasion by the sea peoples including the Philistines would not come until about 1200 BC when it would destroy the Hittite Empire. This record was clearly made before then.