Shephelah
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(lowland) (1 Macc. 12:38 and elsewhere)—the plain or low country of Palestine where Simon Maccabeus fortified Adida against attacks from the Syrian kings. From ancient times it was inhabited by the brave and warlike Philistines and contained, among other places, their five celebrated cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath.