Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(ruins). (1) A primitive people who pushed into Palestine from the desert of Arabia (Deut. 2:23). (2) Colonists from Ava sent to people Israel (2 Kings 17:31).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. A people who once inhabited the villages of Philistia, who were destroyed by the Caphtorims (Deut. 2:23); a remnant being left till the days of Joshua (Josh. 13:3).
2. City belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, not far from Bethel; but the name having the article in the Hebrew may signify a group of villages (Josh. 18:23).
3. A people localized in Samaria by the king of Assyria (2 Kings 17:31).
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
plural of 5757; Avvim (as inhabited by Avvites), a place in Palestine (with the article prefix)
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Peasants; dwellers among the ruins:―see Avims [HIVITE], Josh. 18: 23. {Pagani}