Cherethim
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Cherethim in the Bible?
The Cherethim were an ethnic group associated with the Cretans or Pelasgians who settled in the coastal plain of southern Philistia. Biblical texts often pair this term with Cretans to identify these coastal inhabitants, distinguishing them from the inland Philistine cities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the Cherethim as part of the diverse ethnic makeup of the Philistine confederation helps explain the presence of foreign mercenaries in the royal courts of David and Solomon, offering insight into the complex political alliances of the Iron Age Levant.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Cherethim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Cherethim clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.