Caphtor

Caphtor ( Ugaritic kptr, kptrw; altbabylonisch kaptara; ancient Egyptian Keft, Keftu, Keftiu ) is the Old Testament name of the Region of Crete. In the 13th century BC, the Egyptians wore the geographical name only adds to the Levant. A similar trend of localization is conspicuous in the writings of the Old Testament. In the Septuagint Caphtor later settled, however, in the region of Cappadocia.

Mythological connections

In texts from Ugarit is related to the divine throne takeover by Baal, the ancient Egyptian Memphis mentioned as " hereditary land of Caphtor ( kptr ) ". Baal had in the Ugaritic pantheon before his ascension not yet own palace, which consent of the sky god Els was necessary for the palace that could cause Anat, " sister of Baal ". To win the divine order, Kotar - hasis ( "Artists and omniscient " ) as the architect for the new building, received Athirats messengers God Qidschu - Amrur. At the same goes from the geographical description of the situation Kaphtors out:

"Carrying my ( Anat ) message in your mind, my words in between your eyes. Cross over 1,000 lengths in the sea. 10,000 lengths in the two streams ( the sea). Set over mountains, set on hill, set over the islands on the horizon of the sky. Am gone, oh fishermen Athirat, come on, oh Qidschu - Amrur. Then turn away but after the divine Memphis in its entirety, after Caphtor, his ( Kotar - hasis ) throne, to Memphis, his hereditary land. And say to the Kotar - hasis, repeat the artist with the factory end hands. A message from my mistress lady Athiratu "

In the region of Memphis was the main sanctuary of the artisan god Ptah. Memphis also served as the seat of the " ancient Egyptian Hephaestus ". Caphtor as the seat of the Kotar - hasis was the "islands ( Aegean Sea ) on the horizon of heaven." Cyprus, formerly partly suspected as Caphtor, comes with regard to the Ugaritic localization Kaphtors just as little as the Nile Delta, as available from other sources Ugaritic detailed descriptions region. The remarks " hereditary land Memphis " and " Memphis in its entirety " refer to the divine relations of the " master builder Kotar - hasis ," which was located on Crete and together with "his heirs " Ptah was worshiped in terms artisanal activities.

Biblical references

After Amos (Amos 9.7 EU) and Jeremiah ( Jer 47.4 EU) country of origin of the Philistines. Itamar Singer assumes that this information originates from the Philistines themselves.