Kaftorite Nation
See Deuteronomy 2:23, Amos 9:7. It is identified as an island, Jeremiah 47:4. From the context, it appears to be an island on the Nile Delta. However, the Septuagint, and the Targum (Yonathan) translate it as Cappadocia, Kaputkai or Kapudka. This was an area south of the Black Sea (see note on Genesis 10:2 regarding Meshekh). This does not seem to be a possible explanation, since from the context, these are an Egyptian people. Saadia Gaon identifies it with Damyat or Shafchu, to the west of Port Sa'id (Cf. Masa'oth Rabbi Binyamin 24). According to the Midrash, the Caphtorim were pygmies, and were descendants of the Pathrusim and the Casluchim (Bereshith Rabbah 37). Accordingly, this verse should be, 'and the Pathrusim and Casluchim, from whom there descended the Philistines and Caphtorim.'
