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.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More