Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)/Cherethim

by Matthew George Easton

Cherethim : (Ezek. 25:16), more frequently Cherethites, the inhabitants of Southern Philistia, the Philistines (Zephaniah 2:5). The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David's life-guards (1 Sam. 30:14; 2 Sam. 8:18; 20:7, 23; 23:23). This name is by some interpreted as meaning "Cretans," and by others "executioners," who were ready to execute the king's sentence of death (Gen. 37:36, marg.; 1 Kings 2:25).