Who are the…
Avim
Hebrew: עַוִּי —transliteration: Avvi —meaning: inhabitants of Avva
also known as: Avvim and Avites
This is an ancient people dwelling in Hazerim, or “the villages” or “encampments” on the southwest corner of the seacoast.
This was before the Israelites arrived from their exodus to conquer Canaan. The Avim 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
The are also referred to as Avites.
A trace 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.
“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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