PELONITE*

Designation given to two of David’s mighty men, Helez and Ahijah (1 Chr 11:27, 36; 27:10, nlt “from Pelon”). No sources for the designation are known, which has led some scholars to consider it a textual corruption. In 2 Samuel 23:26, Helez is called a Paltite, and Ahijah is probably identical to Eliam the Gilonite in 2 Samuel 23:34. The latter are preferred over “Pelonite” in both cases. Others suggest that Pelonite is derived from the town Beth-pelet (see Jos 15:27; Neh 11:26).