Lexical Summary Kerethi: Kerethites Original Word: כְּרֵתִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Cherethims, Cherethites Probably from karath in the sense of executioner; a Kerethite or life-guardsman (compare tabbach) (only collectively in the singular as plural) -- Cherethims, Cherethites. see HEBREW karath see HEBREW tabbach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom karath Definition the foreign bodyguard of King David NASB Translation Cherethites (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs כְרֵתִי adjective, of a people, always with article, or plural, as substantive, Kerethites, a name for Philistines or a part of them (perhaps = Cretans, compare ᵐ5 Zephaniah 2:5; Ezekiel 25:15; on Crete as original home of Philistines, see כַּפְתֹּר, מְּלִשְׁתִּי); — הַכְּרֵתִי = substantive collective; — ׳נֶגֶב הַכּ 1 Samuel 30:14 (compare Dr; ᵐ5 B Ξολθει, ᵐ5L Ξορρι A Ξερηθει); of soldiers of David's guard, וְהַמְּלֵתִי ׳הַכּ 2 Samuel 8:18 (read ׳עַלהַֿכּ Th We Dr and others) = 1 Chronicles 18:17; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7 + 2 Samuel 20:23 Qr ( > Kt הכרי), 1 Kings 1:38,44 (ᵐ5 Ξελεθθει, Ξερεθθει, etc.); plural כְּרֵתִים Ezekiel 25:16 ("" מְּלִשְׁתִּים; ᵐ5. Κρῆτας); גּוֺי כְּרֵתִים Zephaniah 2:5 (ᵐ5 Κρητῶν; "" ארץ פלשׁתים): in Zephaniah 2:6 We reads כֶּרֶת = Philistia (see [כָרָה], below I. כרה). כֶּשֶׂב, כִּשְׂבָּה see כֶבֶשׂ etc. Topical Lexicon Designation within Scripture The term כְּרֵתִי (kĕrêthî) designates the Cherethites, an identifiable yet small people-group who become most prominent as a professional corps of soldiers in the service of King David. They are almost always mentioned together with the Pelethites, suggesting a dual contingent that functioned as an elite royal guard. Geographical and Ethnological Setting Their roots lie on the Mediterranean coastal plain southwest of Judah. Ezekiel speaks of “the remnant of the coastland of Cherethites” (Ezekiel 25:16), while Zephaniah calls Philistia “the land of the Cherethites” (Zephaniah 2:5). These prophetic notices place them among the Philistine peoples and confirm a maritime culture whose territory lay between Gaza and Ashkelon. Later Jewish tradition associated them with Crete, but Scripture itself anchors them firmly in Philistia. Rise to Prominence under David The books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles record eight appearances of the Cherethites. Under David they emerge as a standing militia led by Benaiah son of Jehoiada: “Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites” (2 Samuel 8:18). Their duties included: • Personal protection of the king (2 Samuel 15:18). That non-Israelites would guard Israel’s anointed king underscores David’s ability to weld disparate peoples into loyal service around the covenant throne. Their faithfulness to David, rather than tribal bloodline, defines their legacy. Administrative Status While called “guards” (2 Samuel 20:23), they were neither mercenaries nor conscripts. As a permanent unit they came under direct command of Benaiah, himself later promoted to commander of the entire army under Solomon. Their preservation amid regime change (1 Kings 1:38–44) shows their institutional continuity and trusted reputation. Prophetic Judgment Outside the historical narratives, Cherethites appear only in condemnations of Philistia. Ezekiel foretells that the LORD will “cut off the Cherethites” (Ezekiel 25:16), and Zephaniah declares, “Woe to you Philistines… the nation of the Cherethites!” (Zephaniah 2:5). These oracles demonstrate the impartial righteousness of God: the very people honored in David’s court would also face divine judgment when aligned with Philistine rebellion against the LORD. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Covenant Reach – Their inclusion in royal service anticipates the later ingathering of Gentiles into the people of God (Isaiah 56:6–8; Acts 10), illustrating that allegiance to the LORD’s anointed, not ethnicity, grants true standing. Key Passages for Study 1 Samuel 30:14; 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7; 1 Kings 1:44; 1 Chronicles 18:17; Ezekiel 25:16; Zephaniah 2:5. Summary The Cherethites represent a coastal Philistine clan transformed by covenant proximity into David’s elite guard. Their account combines grace, responsibility, and accountability, offering enduring lessons on loyalty to God’s chosen ruler and on the universal scope of divine justice. Forms and Transliterations הַכְּרֵתִ֖י הַכְּרֵתִ֛י הכרתי וְהַכְּרֵתִ֖י וְהַכְּרֵתִ֥י והכרתי כְּרֵתִ֑ים כרתים hak·kə·rê·ṯî hakkereTi hakkərêṯî kə·rê·ṯîm kereTim kərêṯîm vehakkereTi wə·hak·kə·rê·ṯî wəhakkərêṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 30:14 HEB: פָּשַׁ֜טְנוּ נֶ֧גֶב הַכְּרֵתִ֛י וְעַל־ אֲשֶׁ֥ר NAS: on the Negev of the Cherethites, and on that which KJV: [upon] the south of the Cherethites, and upon [the coast] which [belongeth] to Judah, INT: made the Negev of the Cherethites that which 2 Samuel 8:18 2 Samuel 15:18 2 Samuel 20:7 1 Kings 1:44 1 Chronicles 18:17 Ezekiel 25:16 Zephaniah 2:5 8 Occurrences |
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