The origins of the modern Palestinian people is a complex topic with roots going back thousands of years. According to the Bible, the land now known as Israel and Palestine has been inhabited by various peoples throughout history. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about the ancestors of the modern Palestinians:
The Canaanites
The Canaanites were in the land long before the Israelites arrived. According to Genesis 10, the Canaanites were descended from Ham’s son Canaan. They established cities and kingdoms throughout the region including where modern day Palestinians now live. Major Canaanite cities included Jericho, Megiddo, Hazor, and Shechem. The Canaanites worshipped various false gods including Baal and Ashtoreth.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God commanded them to completely destroy the Canaanite inhabitants of the land (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). However, the Israelites failed to drive them all out (Judges 1:27-36). As a result, the Canaanites remained a thorn in Israel’s side, leading them into idolatry (Psalm 106:34-39). The Canaanites intermarried with the Israelites and their gods influenced Israel’s worship (Judges 3:5-6). Eventually, the Canaanites faded from history as a distinct people.
The Philistines
The Philistines were a powerful people who occupied the Mediterranean coast of Canaan during the time of the judges and the early kingdom period in Israel. They originated from Caphtor, possibly Crete (Amos 9:7, Jeremiah 47:4). The Philistines were constant enemies of Israel during this time period. They severely oppressed Israel during the time of the judges (Judges 10:7, 13:1). Famous conflicts include Samson’s battles with the Philistines (Judges 14-16) and David’s defeat of the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
Over time, the Philistines lost power and faded from prominence. However, they left an important legacy – their name became the origin for the name Palestine. The Romans revived the term “Palestine” to rename Judea after crushing the first Jewish revolt in AD 70. However, the Philistines as a distinct civilization were long gone by this time.
The Phoenicians
The Phoenicians were a Semitic people who inhabited the coasts of modern day Lebanon and northern Israel. Their major cities included Tyre, Sidon and Byblos. The Phoenicians were talented merchants, traders and sailors who established colonies throughout the Mediterranean. However, they also frequently clashed with Israel. Both David and Solomon fought against the Phoenicians (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 5:1-12).
After Alexander the Great conquered the region in the late 4th century BC, the Phoenicians came under Greek control. They eventually lost their distinct identity and faded from history as a civilization. However, the Phoenicians made important contributions to civilization, including developing an alphabet which strongly influenced the Greek alphabet.
The Greeks
Following Alexander the Great’s conquest, Greek culture strongly influenced the land of Palestine. The influence of Hellenism continued under Alexander’s successors, the Seleucid Empire. During this time, many Jews adopted aspects of Greek culture and religion. The Greeks built pagan temples in Jerusalem, sparking Jewish resistance.
In 167 BC, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes sparked a major Jewish revolt when he banned Judaism and desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabean Revolt established Jewish independence under the Hasmonaean Dynasty until 63 BC when the Romans conquered the region.
Greek remained an influential language and aspects of Greek philosophy and religion continued to impact the local population. The Greek influence diminished after the Arab conquests of the 7th century AD.
The Romans
As mentioned earlier, the Romans played a key role in reviving the name “Palestine” when they applied it to their province of Judea in the 2nd century AD. The Romans maintained control of the region for over 600 years. Major events during Roman rule included Herod the Great ruling as king of Judea under Caesar Augustus and the First Jewish Revolt which ended with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70.
The Romans constructed many new cities in the region including Caesarea Maritima, which served as the capital of the province. The local pagan population adopted aspects of Greco-Roman culture and religion. The Jewish population remained distinct from the pagan inhabitants of Palestine during this time.
Roman rule ended in the early 5th century as the empire declined. However, aspects of Roman culture, architecture, religion and language influenced the future of Palestine.
The Byzantines
As the Roman Empire transitioned into the Byzantine Empire, Palestine remained under the control of Constantinople. Christianity became the official religion of the Byzantine Empire and saw rapid growth in Palestine, building on Jesus’ earlier ministry there. The Byzantines constructed many churches including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Byzantine rule over Palestine lasted until the Muslim conquests of the 7th century. Greek remained the dominant language during this period. The Byzantine era saw Palestine transition to becoming predominantly Christian just prior to the arrival of Islam.
The Arabs
The Arab conquest of Palestine in the mid-7th century AD introduced Islam to the region. Pre-Islamic Arabs had interacted with biblical figures such as Ishmael and the Queen of Sheba, but the Arabization of Palestine came largely through conquest. The local population came to adopt Arabic language and customs. The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque were constructed in Jerusalem.
Under the Arab caliphates, Palestine became predominantly Muslim. Christian and Jewish communities remained as protected minorities. Palestine changed hands between different Muslim dynasties before eventually falling under Ottoman Turkish control in 1516.
The Crusaders
The Crusaders briefly conquered Palestine during the Middle Ages. Their initial success in taking Jerusalem in 1099 was followed by the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However, Muslim leaders, most prominently Saladin, re-took Palestine by the end of the 13th century.
The Crusader period left behind a legacy of architecture and defence structures. But the Latin Christian Crusader presence was ultimately temporary. Local Christians and Muslims cooperated against them.
The Mamluks & Ottomans
In the wake of the Crusades and the Mongol invasions, Palestine came under the control of the Egypt-based Mamluk Sultanate. The Mamluks ruled Palestine from 1250 to 1516, constructing buildings, schools, and infrastructure. Ottoman Turks conquered the region in 1516, incorporating it into their vast empire.
Ottoman control would last until the end of World War One in 1917. Over four centuries of Ottoman rule shaped Palestinian society. While some Palestinians can trace ancestry to Turks, most adopted Arabic language and culture under Ottoman control.
The British Mandate
When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War One, the British took control of Palestine. Increased Jewish immigration during the Mandate period fueled tensions with the local Arab population. Palestine faced waves of violence between Jews, Arabs, and the British authorities.
The British left Palestine in 1948 after Israel declared independence, sparking the Arab-Israeli War. Modern Palestinian national identity emerged largely in response to Zionist immigration and British control over the Mandate.
Diverse Origins
In summary, modern Palestinians have diverse ancestral roots stretching back to the original Canaanite inhabitants of the land. Throughout history, many peoples have influenced Palestine – Canaanites, Philistines, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks, and the British. The modern Palestinian people emerged from this melting pot of civilizations.
While Palestinians of today cannot be traced predominantly to any one ancient people group, their homeland’s strategic location has ensured a diverselegacy spanning back to biblical times. Elements of this rich history are reflected in Palestinian genetics, language, culture, and religion today.