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ASHDOD

(Heb. ʾašdôḏ)

One of the five principal Philistine cities. The ancient city is identified with modern Ashdod/Esdûd (118129), 15 km. (9 mi.) N of Ashkelon and ca. 4 km. (2.5 mi.) inland from the Mediterranean Sea.

Ashdod was part of the tribal territory of Judah (Josh. 15:46-47), although it remained in Philistine control. The city is listed as one of the few cities where the Anakim were settled during the Israelite settlement (Josh. 11:22). The Ark narrative records that the Philistines placed the ark of God in the temple of Dagon at Ashdod, where they received tumors from God (1 Sam. 5:5-6). Ashdod is not mentioned again until King Uzziah of Judah conquered the city and built cities in the “territory of Ashdod” (2 Chr. 26:6). In 713 b.c. Azuri the king of Ashdod revolted against Assyria, and Sargon II conquered the city, placing Ahimetu on the throne. From this point on the city became a vassal of Assyria. According to Herodotus, during the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal’s reign Ashdod withstood an Egyptian siege for 29 years before it was conquered by Psamtik I. After Nebuchadnezar’s conquest of the region, Ashdod and its territory became a Babylonian province. During this period Ashdod is mentioned several times in the oracles of the prophets (Jer. 25:20; Amos 1:8; 3:9; Zeph. 2:4; Zech. 9:6).

Ashdod (Gk. Ázōtos) is mentioned in various sources from the Persian to the Roman periods (Jdt 2:28; 10:77-78; 3:34; 16:10; Josephus Ant. 5:87; 5:128; 13:395; BJ 1.156, 165-66; 4.130). Judas Maccabeus captured it (1 Macc. 5:68), and his successor, Jonathan, burned it (10:84; 16:10). Philip the Evangelist passed through the city en route to Caesarea after his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:40).

Extensive excavations of the ancient site by Moshe Dothan between 1962 and 1970 have revealed a fairly complete picture of the site. The tell consists of an acropolis of ca. 8 ha. (20 a.) with a lower city of at least 40 ha. (100 a.). Tell Ashdod has been continually occupied from the Middle Bronze Age to the Byzantine period. Excavations have exposed 23 strata. A large fortification system consisting of a rampart and gate complex was built during the 17th century (MB III). During the Late Bronze Age (1500-1200) the city continued to prosper under Egyptian dominance, evidenced by the excavation of an Egyptian stronghold palace with various Egyptian artifacts and imported vessels from the Aegean. This city was destroyed and settled by the Philistines, who built a potter’s workshop and new residential quarters. It continued to grow and expand in Iron Age I (1200-1000) until it was destroyed at the beginning of the 10th century. It was rebuilt and expanded in the lower city, probably as immigrants from the inner-coastal Philistine cities moved due to the strong Israelite state under David and Solomon. Subsequent occupation and destruction phases are most likely due to campaigns by Uzziah, Assyria, and Egypt. The site was continuously occupied on a much smaller scale from the Persian to the Byzantine periods, with the most notable building activity during the time of Herod.

Steven M. Ortiz

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ASHDOD

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)