Cherethim
Cher'ethim (Hebrews Kerethim´, בּרֵתַים, the regular plural of Cherethite), occurs in this form only in Eze 25:16; Zep 2:5, in the former of which passages it is rendered "Cherethims," and in the latter "Cherethites." The only other passage where the Cherethites are mentioned singly (although in a slightly different form in the original) is 1Sa 30:14. In all these passages they are expressly named as inhabitants of the southern Philistia, that is, Philistines. The Sept. and Syriac render the word in these places by Cretans; from which, and the passages in Am 9:7; Jer 47:4; De 2:23, the conjecture would be strong that the Philistines sprang from Crete, were it certain that Caphtor means Crete. SEE PHILISTINE; SEE CAPHTOR. For the other passages in which the word occurs, SEE CHERETHITE.
