פְּלֵתִי

# Pelethite (H6432): A Biblical Military Term The Hebrew word *pelethite* (פְּלֵתִי) appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible and refers to a specific group identified by a distinct ethnic or occupational designation. Based on its limited occurrences, this term denotes members of a particular military or administrative unit rather than a common noun describing a general category. The consistent use across these seven instances suggests a stable, recognizable group within biblical society whose identity was significant enough to warrant specific naming. The rarity of this term—appearing only seven times—indicates that Pelethites formed a specialized or elite group rather than a large population segment. Their specific designation in biblical texts suggests they held particular roles, possibly in royal service or military functions, that distinguished them from the general populace. Without additional contextual data from the lexicon entries themselves, the precise nature of their duties or origin remains defined by these seven biblical passages where they are mentioned by name. Understanding *pelethite* requires consulting the biblical passages where this term appears, as the word itself serves as an ethnic or functional identifier for a group whose significance lies in their repeated mention in specific biblical contexts rather than in any broadly generalized meaning.