This verse speaks of another primitive race, the Avvim; they are not identified as giants, but this is suggested by the name being linked with the others in the context of the explanatory note.

Gaza was one of the five Philistine city-states, on the Mediterranean coast.

As for the Caphtorim and Caphtor, it is generally agreed that these are the Philistines, who came originally from Crete (see Amos 9.7). This migration took place about 1200 B.C. Translators are urged to say “Philistines” or “people from Philistia,” rather than using the form Caphtorim.

Another possible model for this verse is:

• The same thing happened to the Avvim, who lived in the land along the Mediterranean coast as far south as Gaza. People who came from the island of Crete destroyed the Avvim and took over all their land.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .