PERIZZITES. According to the frequently recurring list of the Deuteronomic editors, one of the pre-Israelitish nations of Palestine (cf. Exodus 3:8; Exodus 3:17; Exodus 23:23; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 34:11 , Deuteronomy 20:17 , Joshua 3:10; Joshua 24:11 ). The Perizzites, however, do not appear anywhere definitely in the history. Because in Genesis 15:20 and Joshua 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 ( Genesis 13:7; Genesis 34:30 , Judges 1:4 ). The name ‘Perizzite’ (in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] of 1Es 8:69 , Esther 1:21 Esther 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 Judges 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.