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PERIZZITES.—According to the frequently recurring list of the Deuteronomic editors, one of the pre-Israelitish nations of Palestine (cf. Exo_3:8; Exo_3:17; Exo_23:23; Exo_33:2; Exo_34:11, Deu_20:17, Jos_3:10; Jos_24:11). The Perizzites, however, do not appear anywhere definitely in the history. Because in Gen_15:20 and Jos_17:15 they are mentioned with the Rephaim, some have inferred that they were one of the pre-Semitic tribes of Palestine. In the J [Note: Jahwist.] document the Perizzites are three times mentioned with the Canaanites (Gen_13:7; Gen_34:30, Jdg_1:4). The name ‘Perizzite’ (in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] of 1Es_8:69, 2Es_1:21, and AV [Note: Authorized Version.] of Jdt_5:16 Pherezite(s)) is in Hebrew almost identical with a word meaning ‘dweller in an unwalled village,’ hence Moore (on Jdg_1:5) has suggested that they were Canaanite agriculturists, living in unwalled towns, and not a separate tribe. This view is most probable.
George A. Barton.