Cherethim

CHERETHIM, or Cretim. These terms are Denominations of the Philistines, as we see by Ezekiel and Zephaniah: I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and will cut off the Cherethim, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast, says Ezekiel. And Zephaniah Ezek. xxv. 16.exclaiming against the Philistines, says, Zeph. ii. 5.Wo unto the inhabitants of the sea-coasts, the nation of the Cherethites. It is said in the first Book of Samuel, that the 1 Sam. xxx. 14.Amalekites made an Invasion upon the South of the Cherethites; that is to say, of the Philistines. David, and some of the Kings of Judah his Successors, had foreign Guards, called Cherethites and Pelethites, 2 Sam. xv. 18.who were of the Philistines Country.

See our Comment on this place.It has been a Question, whence the Philistines or Cherethites came when they removed into Palestine. The Scripture expressly says, that the Philistines came from the Isle of Caphtor. We have endeavoured Jer. xlvii. 4. Amos ix. 7.to shew in a Dissertation made particularly on this place,¹ that the Isle of Caphtor signified the Isle of Crete. The Septuagint translateth it Cherethim, Cretenses, and Chereth, Crete. There are many Footsteps of their Original from Crete to be observed. from the Religion and Customs of the Philistines. There is reason therefore to believe, that they came originally from this Island. Others bring them from Cappadocia, as we have shewn in the Article Caphtor.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages