כְּרֵתִי (ke.re.ti)
ke.re.ti
Cherethite
N:N--TGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--TG
Word Overview
The noun kerethi refers to the Cherethites, a group of foreign mercenary soldiers who served as King David’s personal bodyguard. The term appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible, with most occurrences found in the historical books of Samuel and Kings. These warriors were not Israelites by birth; instead, they were likely descendants of the people from Kereth or possibly Cretans, forming an elite unit trusted with the king’s safety.
Lexical sources often connect this group to executioners, highlighting their role in carrying out royal judgments. This dual function as both protectors and enforcers underscores the unique position they held within David’s court. While some scholars suggest a Philistine origin, others point to a Cretan background, reflecting the diverse makeup of David’s military forces.
The mention of Cherethites alongside the Pelethites in passages like 2 Samuel 8:18 illustrates the integration of foreign mercenaries into Israel’s leadership structure. Their presence signals a period when David relied on specialized troops to consolidate his power and maintain order, offering insight into the political and military dynamics of ancient Judah.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term for Cherethite points to a specific group of elite soldiers who served as King David’s personal bodyguard. These were not native Israelites but likely foreign mercenaries, possibly from Crete or the Philistine coast, who earned the king’s deep trust. Their presence in the narrative shows that David surrounded himself with capable protectors, blending loyalty with military skill to secure his reign.
In 2 Samuel 15:18, we see these guards walking beside David as he fled from Absalom. This moment reveals their steadfast commitment even when the king’s position was crumbling. Their role reminds us that God often uses diverse people and structures to protect His purposes, showing that strength can come from unexpected places.
Understanding this word helps us see the complexity of ancient Israel’s leadership. It highlights how David relied on specialized troops to maintain order during turbulent times. This historical detail invites us to appreciate the human elements behind biblical stories, recognizing that God works through real people with varied backgrounds to fulfill His plans.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Kerethite[s]4×
- and/ the/ Kerethite[s]4×
- [the] Kerethites1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/כְּרֵתִ֖י3×
- וְ/הַ/כְּרֵתִ֖י2×
- כְּרֵתִ֑ים1×
- וְ/הַ/כְּרֵתִי֙1×
- וְ/הַ/כְּרֵתִ֥י1×
- הַ/כְּרֵתִ֛י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 15:18
All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
This verse highlights the Cherethites' personal loyalty to David as he fled from his son Absalom, showing their role as trusted protectors in times of crisis.
-
II Samuel 8:18
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.
Here Benaiah leads the Cherethites and Pelethites, establishing their official status within David’s military hierarchy alongside other elite units.
-
I Kings 1:38
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
The Cherethites escort Solomon to Gihon, demonstrating their continued role in securing the royal succession and validating God’s choice of king.
-
Zephaniah 2:5
Woe to the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! Yahweh’s word is against you, Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you until there is no inhabitant.
This prophetic judgment against the Cherethites connects the term to its broader geographical origin, linking them with Philistine territories rather than just David’s guards.