Who are the…
Avvim

also known as: Avvites, Avim, Avites

Hebrew: עַוִּי —transliteration: Avvi —meaning: inhabitants of Avva

This is an ancient people dwelling in Hazerim (Deu. 2:23), or “the villages” or “encampments” (not fortified towns) on the southwest corner of the seacoast.

Ancient Hazerim is located near the modern Hatzerim kibbutz in Israel 5 miles (8 km) west of Beersheba in the Negev desert).

The Avvim lived here before the Israelites arrived from their exodus to conquer their promised land of Canaan. The Avvim were previously subdued and driven northward by the Caphtorim.

And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.) —Deuteronomy 2:23 NASB

A mention of them is afterwards found in Joshua 13:3, where they are called Avites or Avvim. Their land was considered part of the Canaanites land to be conquered by the Israelites, as commanded by God.

“from the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines: the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; and the Avvite” —Joshua 13:3 NASB

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Article Version: January 15, 2025