It is unclear whether they were originally brought as an enslaved population by the conquering Egyptians or emigrated from a Greek island. Whatever their origin, they built cities as their habitats, each city ruled by a military individual titled the Seren, a military rank still used by the Israeli army for a lieutenant. The Israelites most likely absorbed the Philistine language, as the Philistines were gradually subdued and absorbed into the Israelite nation. We cannot tell how many of their words may be part of the Hebrew language.

There are many fish gods. I cannot presume, therefore, that Dagon had traveled anywhere beyond Israel when the Philistines disappeared. It’s not impossible, however, that some of the mermaids and mermen of Europe are related to him, particularly through the shared Greek connection.

...

Please subscribe to keep reading.