Are always mentioned together with the Cherethites, as constituting the king's bodyguard, 2Sa 8:18; 22:23. The word, if not the name of a Jewish or a Philistine family, is supposed to signify runners; and thus they would seem to have been the royal messengers; just as the Cherethites, from a Hebrew word signifying to cut off, were the king's executioners. See CHERETHITES.

mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and only in the time of David. The word probably means "runners" or "couriers," and may denote that while forming part of David's bodyguard, they were also sometimes employed as couriers (2Sa 8:18; 20:7,23; 1Ki 1:38,44; 1Ch 18:17). Some, however, think that these are the names simply of two Philistine tribes from which David selected his body-guard. They are mentioned along with the Gittites (2Sa 15:18), another body of foreign troops whom David gathered round him.

(See CHERETHITES .) The two together formed David's body guard. As Ittai of Gath, so other refugees from Philistine tribes probably joined David. The Egyptian monuments mention Shayretana ("Cherethim" or "Cretans") and Pelesatu ("Philistines"), whom Rameses III conquered. The Shayretana supplied mercenaries to the Egyptian kings of the 19th and 20th dynasties. Cherethites may be from chaarat "to cut off," namely, from one's country; Pelethites from paalat "he fled," "fugitives," political refugees. "Philistine" is from phalash "to emigrate." Gesenius less probably explains" executioners and runners."

Pel'ethites

These formed a part of David's guard. They are always grouped with the Cherethites. It is uncertain from whence they came or what the name signifies. 2Sa 8:18; 15:18; 20:7,23; 1Ki 1:38,44; 1Ch 18:17. Gesenius calls them 'public couriers,' doubtless because peleth means 'swiftness.' The LXX and Vulgate leave the name untranslated. Some trace the word to the Philistines.

Pe'lethites

(couriers). [CHERETHITES]

See Cherethites