PALESTINE

taken in a limited sense, denotes the country of the Philistines or Pales tines, including that part of the land of promise which extended along the Mediterranean Sea, from Gaza south to Lydda north. The LXX. were of opinion that the word Philistiim , which they generally translate Allophyli , signified strangers,” or men of another tribe. Palestine, taken in a more general sense, signifies the whole country of Canaan, the whole land of promise, as well beyond as on this side Jordan, though pretty frequently it is restrained to the country on this side that river; so that in later times the words Judea and Palestine were synonymous. We find, also, the name of Syria Palest in a given to the land of promise, and even sometimes this province is comprehended in Cœlo-Syria, or the Lower Syria. Hero dot us is the most ancient writer we know that speaks of Syria Palest in a. He places it between Phenic i a and Egypt. See Canaan .