Zephaniah 2:5

“Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coasts, the nation of the Cherethites, etc.] Which is a name of the Philistines in general, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; or these were a particular tribe belonging to them, that inhabited the southern part of their country; (see <093014>1 Samuel 30:14,16) those on the sea coast, the coast of the Mediterranean sea, and so lay between that and Judea: out of this nation, in the times of David and Solomon, were some choice soldiers selected, called the Cherethites and Pelethites, who were their bodyguards, as Josephusf48 calls them; a royal band, which never departed from the king’s person; (see <101518>2 Samuel 15:18) (<102007>2 Samuel 20:7,23). The Septuagint…”

“inhabitants of the seacoast--the Philistines dwelling on the strip of seacoast southwest of Canaan. Literally, the "cord" or "line" of sea (compare Jer 47:7; Eze 25:16). the Cherethites--the Cretans, a name applied to the Philistines as sprung from Crete (Deu 2:23; Jer 47:4; Amo 9:7). Philistine means "an emigrant." Canaan . . . land of the Philistines--They occupied the southwest of Canaan (Jos 13:2-3); a name which hints that they are doomed to the same destruction as the early occupants of the land.”

“The “woe” having been pronounced on the five cities apart, now falls upon the whole nation of the Cherethites or Philistines. The Cherethites are only named as equivalent to the Philistines, probably as originally a distinct immigration of the same people . The name is used by the Egyptian slave of the Amalekite 1 Samuel 30:14 for those whom the author of the first book of Samuel calls Philistines 1 Samuel 30:16. Ezekiel uses the name parallel with that of “Philistines,” with reference to the destruction which God would bring upon them . The word of the Lord - Comes not to them, but “upon” them, overwhelming them. To them He speaketh not in good, but in evil; not in grace, but in anger; not…”

“The inhabitants - All the Philistines. Cherethites - Or destroyers, men that were stout, fierce, and terrible to their neighbours. O Canaan - That part that the Philistines kept by force from the Jews. Zephaniah 2:6”

“2:5 Old Testament scholars believe the Philistines came from the island of Crete (cp. Ezek 25:16).”

“Cherethites: Jer 47:7; Eze 25:16, Cherethims the word: Amo 3:1, Amo 5:1; Zac 1:6; Mar 12:12 O Canaan: Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3 Zephaniah 2:6”