Ashdod
VIEW:49 DATA:01-04-2020
effusion; inclination; theft
(same as Azotus)
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
ASHDOD (fortress; Greek Azotus).A city in the Philistine Pentapolis; not captured by Joshua (Jos_13:3), and a refuge for the unslaughtered Anakim (Jos_11:22); theoretically assigned to the tribe of Judah (Jos_15:47). Hither the Phliistines brought the ark, and sent it thence to Gath, on account of an outbreak probably of bubonic plague (1Sa_5:1-8). Uzziah attacked the city, destroyed its walls, and established settlements near it (2Ch_26:6). The Ashdodites joined with Sanballat in opposing Nehemiah s restoration of Jerusalem (Neh_4:7), yet some of the Jews of the period married wives from Ashdod, and their children spoke in its dialect (Neh_13:23-24). It was captured by Sargons commander-in-chief (Isa_20:1). Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, and Zechariah speak denunciations against it. It was again captured by Judas Maccabæus (1Ma_5:68), and again by Jonathan (1Ma_10:84). The solitary reference to it in the NT is the record of Philips departure thither after the baptism of the Ethiopian (Act_8:40). It is identified with the modern Esdud, a village about two-thirds of the way from Jaffa to Askalan, and some 3 miles from the sea. It is on the slope of a hill, and at its entrance are the remains of a large mediæval khan. There are fragments of ancient buildings to be found here and there in the modern walls.
R. A. S. Macalister.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
ASHDOD or AZOTUS. ("fortress".) Now Esdud. On a commanding height. One of the five confederate Philistine cities, 30 miles from the S. of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean, midway between Gaza and Joppa. A seat of the worship of (See DAGON; there the idol fell before God's captive ark, the head and palms cut off, and only the fishy stump (margin) left (1Sa_5:3-8). Ashdod had been originally assigned to Judah (Jos_15:47), but never occupied by the Jews, nay, made a point of attack on them: not until King Uzziah was its "wall broken down and cities built about it," i.e. forts on the surrounding hills (2Ch_26:6).
In Nehemiah's time Ashdod still retained its distinctive language and race, and ensnared by marriages the Jews returned from Babylon, after vainly striving to prevent the walls of Jerusalem being built (Neh_4:7-8; Neh_13:23-24). It was the key of entrance between Palestine and Egypt. As such, it was besieged by the Assyrian general Tartan under Sargon (716 B.C.), to counteract Hezekiah's league with Egypt (Isa_20:1). So strongly did the Assyrians fortify it that it stood a 29 years' siege (the longest on record) under the Egyptian Psammeticus, who took it 630 B.C.
These calamities were foretold Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:5-6, "a bastard shall dwell in Asdod," i.e. an alien; perhaps referring to an Arabian occupation of it during the Babylonian exile. Compare Neh_4:7; Neh_13:24. Destroyed by the Maccabees. Restored by the Roman Gabinius 55 B.C. Assigned to Salome by Augustus. Visited by Philip the evangelist, who preached there on his way from Gaza to Caesarea (Act_8:40). A bishop from it was present at the councils of Nice and Chalcedon.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Ash'dod. (a stronghold). Act_8:40. One of the five confederate cities of the Philistines situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:47, but was never subdued by the Israelites. Its chief importance arose from its position on the high road from Palestine to Egypt. It is now an insignificant village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is still called Esdud.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
Ashdod was one of the five cities of the Philistines, the other four being Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza and Gath (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17-18; see PHILISTIA). The story most readily associated with Ashdod concerns the temple of Dagon that was in the town. When the Philistines captured Israels ark of the covenant and placed it in the temple, the god Dagon fell down in front of the ark and broke in pieces (1Sa_5:1-5).
As a result of enemy attacks that destroyed parts of the city (Isa_20:1; Jer_25:17-20), Ashdod was rebuilt several times during its long history. In New Testament times it was a prosperous town known as Azotus (Act_8:40). Today it is a smaller town and is known by its original name, Ashdod.
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary by Don Fleming
PRINTER 1990.
ash?dod (אשׁדּוד, 'ashdōdh; Ἀζωτός, Azōtós; modern Esdūd): One of the five chief cities of the Philistines. The name means stronghold or fortress, and its strength may be inferred by the fact that Psammetik I, of Egypt, besieged it for many years (Herodotus says 29). Some of the Anakim were found there in the days of Joshua (Jos_11:22), and the inhabitants were too strong for the Israelites at that time. It was among the towns assigned to Judah, but was not occupied by her (Jos_13:3; Jos_15:46, Jos_15:47). It was still independent in the days of Samuel, when, after the defeat of the Israelites, the ark was taken to the house of Dagon in Ashdod (1Sa_5:1, 1Sa_5:2). We have no account of its being occupied even by David, although he defeated the Philistines many times, and we have no definite knowledge of its coming into the hands of Judah until the time of Uzziah (2Ch_26:6). Ashdod, like the other Philistine towns, came under the authority of the Assyrian monarchs, and we have mention of it in their records. It revolted against Sargon in 711 bc, and deposed the Assyrian governor, Akhimiti, who had been appointed by him in 720. Sargon at once dispatched a force to subdue the rebels and the city was severely punished. This is referred to by Isaiah (Isa_20:1). Amos had prophesied such a calamity some years before (Amo_1:8), and Jeremiah refers to ?the remnant of Ashdod? as though it had continued weak until his day (Jer_25:20). Zephaniah (Zep_2:4) refers to the desolation of Ashdod and Zechariah to its degraded condition (Zec_9:6). It continued to be inhabited, however, for we find the Jews intermarried with them after the return from Babylon (Neh_13:23, Neh_13:24). In the Maccabean period we are told that Judas and Jonathan both took it and purified it of idolatry (1 Macc 5:68; 10:84). In these passages it is called Azotus, as it is also in the New Testament (Act_8:40). In the 4th century ad it became the seat of a bishopric. It had been restored in the time of Herod, by the Roman general Gabinius, and was presented to Salome, the sister of Herod, by the emperor Augustus. It is now a small village about 18 miles Northeast of Gaza.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Ash?dod, the Azotus of the Greeks and Romans, and so called in 1Ma_4:15; Act_8:40; a city on the summit of a grassy hill, near the Mediterranean coast, nearly mid-way between Gaza and Joppa, being 18 geog. miles N. by E. from the former, and 21 S. from the latter; and it is more exactly mid-way between Askelon and Ekron, being 10 geog. miles N. by E. from the former, and S. by W. from the latter. Ashdod was a city of the Philistines, and the chief town of one of their five states (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17). It was the seat of the worship of Dagon (1Sa_5:5; 1Ma_11:4); and it was before its shrine in this city that the captured ark was deposited and triumphed over the idol (1Sa_5:1-9). Ashdod was assigned to Judah; but many centuries passed before this and the other Philistine towns were subdued [PHILISTINES]; and it appears never to have been permanently in possession of the Judahites, although it was dismantled by Uzziah, who built towns in the territory of Ashdod (1Ch_26:6). It is mentioned to the reproach of the Jews returned from captivity, that they married wives of Ashdod, with the result that the children of these marriages spoke a mongrel dialect, half Hebrew and half in the speech of Ashdod (Neh_13:23-24). These facts indicate the ancient importance of Ashdod. It was indeed a place of great strength; and being on the usual military route between Syria and Egypt, the possession of it became an object of importance in the wars between Egypt and the great northern powers. Hence it was secured by the Assyrians before invading Egypt (Isa_1:1, sq.); and at a later date it was taken by Psammetichus, after a siege of twenty-nine years, being the longest siege on record. The destruction of Ashdod was foretold by the prophets (Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Amo_3:9; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:6); and was accomplished by the Maccabees (1Ma_5:68; 1Ma_10:77-84; 1Ma_11:4). It was, however, rebuilt, and was included in the dominion of Herod the Great, who bequeathed it, with two other towns, to his sister Salome. The evangelist Philip was found at Ashdod after he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Act_8:40). Azotus early became the seat of a bishopric; and we find a bishop of Azotus present at the councils of Nice, of Chalcedon, A.D. 359, of Seleucia, and of Jerusalem, A.D. 536.
Ashdod exists at present as an inconsiderable village. The site is marked by ancient ruins, such as broken arches, and partly buried fragments of marble columns; there is also what has the appearance of a very ancient khan, the principal chamber of which had obviously, at some former period, been used as a Christian chapel. The place is still called Esdud.
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Ashdod
(Heb. Ashdod', אִשְׁדּוֹד, a stronghold; Sept. and N.T. ῎Αζωοτς), the Azotus of the Greeks and Romans, and so called in 1Ma_4:15; Act_8:40 (see also Plin. Hist. Nat. v, 14; Ptolem. v, 16); a city of the Philistine Pentapolis, on the summit of a grassy hill (Richardson, Travels, ii, 206), near the Mediterranean coast (comp. Joseph. Ant. 14:4, 4), nearly mid. way between Gaza and Joppa, being 18 geographical miles north by east from the former (270 stadia north, according to Diod. Sic. 19:85), and 21 south from the latter; and, more exactly, midway between Askelon and Ekron, being 10 geographical miles north by east from the former, and south by west from the latter (see Cellar. Notit. ii, 599; Mannert, VI, i, 261 sq.). Ashdod was a city of the Philistines, and the chief town of one of their five confederate states (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17). It was the seat of the worship of Dagon (1Sa_5:5; 1Ma_11:4), before whose shrine in this city it was that the captured ark was deposited and triumphed over the idol (1Sa_5:1-9). Ashdod was assigned to Judah (Jos_15:47); but many centuries passed before it and the other Philistine towns were subdued (1Ki_4:24), SEE PHILISTINES; and it appears never to have been permanently in possession of the Judahites, although it was dismantled by Uzziah, who built towns in the territory of Ashdod (2Ch_26:6). It is mentioned to the reproach of the Jews after their return from captivity that they married wives of Ashdod; the result of which was that the children of these marriages spoke a mongrel dialect, compounded of Hebrew and the speech of Ashdod (Neh_13:23-24). It was a place of great strength; and being on the usual military route between Syria and Egypt, the possession of it became an object of importance in the wars between Egypt and the great northern powers. Hence it was secured by the Assyrians under Tartan (B.C. 715) before invading Egypt (Isa_20:1 sq.); and about B.C. 630 it was taken by Psammetichus, after a siege of twenty-nine years, the longest on record (Herodot. ii, 157). That it recovered from this blow appears from its being mentioned as an independent power in alliance, after the exile, with the Arabians and others against Jerusalem (Neh_4:7).
The destruction of Ashdod was foretold by the prophets (Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Amo_3:9; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:6), and was accomplished by the Maccabees (1Ma_5:68; 1Ma_10:77-84; 1Ma_11:4). It is enumerated among the towns which Pompey joined to the province of Syria (Joseph. Ant. 14:4, 4; War, i, 7, 7), and among the cities ruined in the wars, which Gabinius ordered to be rebuilt (Ant. 14:5, 3). It was included in Herod's dominion, and was one of the three towns bequeathed by him to his sister Salome (War, 17:8, 1; 11:5). The evangelist Philip was found at Ashdod after he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Act_8:40). Azotus early became the seat of a bishopric; and we find a bishop of this city present at the councils of Nice, Chalcedon, A.D. 359, Seleucia, and Jerusalem, A.D. 536 (Reland, Palestina, p. 609). Ashdod subsisted as a small unwalled town in the time of Jerome. It was in ruins when Benjamin of Tudela visited Palestine (Itin. ed. Asher, i, 79); but we learn from William of Tyre and Vitriacus that the bishopric was revived by the Latin Christians, at least titularly, and made suffragan of Treves. Sandys (Travailes, p. 151) describes it "as a place of no reckoning;" and Zuallart (Voyage, 4:132) speaks of it as an Arab village (comp. Van Troilo, 1666, p. 349). Irby and Mangles (p. 180) describe it as an inhabited site marked by ancient ruins, such as broken arches and partly-buried fragments of marble columns; there is also what appeared to these travellers to be a very ancient khan, the principal chamber of which had obviously, at some former period, been used as a Christian chapel. The place is still called Esdud (Volney, Trav. ii, 251; Schwarz, Palest. p. 120). The name occurs in the cuneiform inscriptions (q.v.). The ancient remains are few and indistinct (Hackett, Illustra. of Script. p. 185). The ruined khan to the west of the village marks the Acropolis of the ancient town, and the grove near it alone protects the site from the shifting sand of the adjoining plain, which threatens, at no distant day, entirely to overwhelm the spot (Thomson, Land and Book, ii, 319).
The inhabitants are styled (אִשְׁדּוֹדִי, Neh_5:7; "Ashdothites," Jos_13:3; the dialect is the Pim. אִשְׁדּוֹדִית, Ashdodith', Sept. Α᾿ζωτιστί, Vulg. Azotice, A. V. "in the speech of Ashdod," Neh_13:24).
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.
(same as Azotus)
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
ASHDOD (fortress; Greek Azotus).A city in the Philistine Pentapolis; not captured by Joshua (Jos_13:3), and a refuge for the unslaughtered Anakim (Jos_11:22); theoretically assigned to the tribe of Judah (Jos_15:47). Hither the Phliistines brought the ark, and sent it thence to Gath, on account of an outbreak probably of bubonic plague (1Sa_5:1-8). Uzziah attacked the city, destroyed its walls, and established settlements near it (2Ch_26:6). The Ashdodites joined with Sanballat in opposing Nehemiah s restoration of Jerusalem (Neh_4:7), yet some of the Jews of the period married wives from Ashdod, and their children spoke in its dialect (Neh_13:23-24). It was captured by Sargons commander-in-chief (Isa_20:1). Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, and Zechariah speak denunciations against it. It was again captured by Judas Maccabæus (1Ma_5:68), and again by Jonathan (1Ma_10:84). The solitary reference to it in the NT is the record of Philips departure thither after the baptism of the Ethiopian (Act_8:40). It is identified with the modern Esdud, a village about two-thirds of the way from Jaffa to Askalan, and some 3 miles from the sea. It is on the slope of a hill, and at its entrance are the remains of a large mediæval khan. There are fragments of ancient buildings to be found here and there in the modern walls.
R. A. S. Macalister.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
ASHDOD or AZOTUS. ("fortress".) Now Esdud. On a commanding height. One of the five confederate Philistine cities, 30 miles from the S. of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean, midway between Gaza and Joppa. A seat of the worship of (See DAGON; there the idol fell before God's captive ark, the head and palms cut off, and only the fishy stump (margin) left (1Sa_5:3-8). Ashdod had been originally assigned to Judah (Jos_15:47), but never occupied by the Jews, nay, made a point of attack on them: not until King Uzziah was its "wall broken down and cities built about it," i.e. forts on the surrounding hills (2Ch_26:6).
In Nehemiah's time Ashdod still retained its distinctive language and race, and ensnared by marriages the Jews returned from Babylon, after vainly striving to prevent the walls of Jerusalem being built (Neh_4:7-8; Neh_13:23-24). It was the key of entrance between Palestine and Egypt. As such, it was besieged by the Assyrian general Tartan under Sargon (716 B.C.), to counteract Hezekiah's league with Egypt (Isa_20:1). So strongly did the Assyrians fortify it that it stood a 29 years' siege (the longest on record) under the Egyptian Psammeticus, who took it 630 B.C.
These calamities were foretold Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:5-6, "a bastard shall dwell in Asdod," i.e. an alien; perhaps referring to an Arabian occupation of it during the Babylonian exile. Compare Neh_4:7; Neh_13:24. Destroyed by the Maccabees. Restored by the Roman Gabinius 55 B.C. Assigned to Salome by Augustus. Visited by Philip the evangelist, who preached there on his way from Gaza to Caesarea (Act_8:40). A bishop from it was present at the councils of Nice and Chalcedon.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Ash'dod. (a stronghold). Act_8:40. One of the five confederate cities of the Philistines situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:47, but was never subdued by the Israelites. Its chief importance arose from its position on the high road from Palestine to Egypt. It is now an insignificant village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is still called Esdud.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
Ashdod was one of the five cities of the Philistines, the other four being Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza and Gath (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17-18; see PHILISTIA). The story most readily associated with Ashdod concerns the temple of Dagon that was in the town. When the Philistines captured Israels ark of the covenant and placed it in the temple, the god Dagon fell down in front of the ark and broke in pieces (1Sa_5:1-5).
As a result of enemy attacks that destroyed parts of the city (Isa_20:1; Jer_25:17-20), Ashdod was rebuilt several times during its long history. In New Testament times it was a prosperous town known as Azotus (Act_8:40). Today it is a smaller town and is known by its original name, Ashdod.
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary by Don Fleming
PRINTER 1990.
ash?dod (אשׁדּוד, 'ashdōdh; Ἀζωτός, Azōtós; modern Esdūd): One of the five chief cities of the Philistines. The name means stronghold or fortress, and its strength may be inferred by the fact that Psammetik I, of Egypt, besieged it for many years (Herodotus says 29). Some of the Anakim were found there in the days of Joshua (Jos_11:22), and the inhabitants were too strong for the Israelites at that time. It was among the towns assigned to Judah, but was not occupied by her (Jos_13:3; Jos_15:46, Jos_15:47). It was still independent in the days of Samuel, when, after the defeat of the Israelites, the ark was taken to the house of Dagon in Ashdod (1Sa_5:1, 1Sa_5:2). We have no account of its being occupied even by David, although he defeated the Philistines many times, and we have no definite knowledge of its coming into the hands of Judah until the time of Uzziah (2Ch_26:6). Ashdod, like the other Philistine towns, came under the authority of the Assyrian monarchs, and we have mention of it in their records. It revolted against Sargon in 711 bc, and deposed the Assyrian governor, Akhimiti, who had been appointed by him in 720. Sargon at once dispatched a force to subdue the rebels and the city was severely punished. This is referred to by Isaiah (Isa_20:1). Amos had prophesied such a calamity some years before (Amo_1:8), and Jeremiah refers to ?the remnant of Ashdod? as though it had continued weak until his day (Jer_25:20). Zephaniah (Zep_2:4) refers to the desolation of Ashdod and Zechariah to its degraded condition (Zec_9:6). It continued to be inhabited, however, for we find the Jews intermarried with them after the return from Babylon (Neh_13:23, Neh_13:24). In the Maccabean period we are told that Judas and Jonathan both took it and purified it of idolatry (1 Macc 5:68; 10:84). In these passages it is called Azotus, as it is also in the New Testament (Act_8:40). In the 4th century ad it became the seat of a bishopric. It had been restored in the time of Herod, by the Roman general Gabinius, and was presented to Salome, the sister of Herod, by the emperor Augustus. It is now a small village about 18 miles Northeast of Gaza.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Ash?dod, the Azotus of the Greeks and Romans, and so called in 1Ma_4:15; Act_8:40; a city on the summit of a grassy hill, near the Mediterranean coast, nearly mid-way between Gaza and Joppa, being 18 geog. miles N. by E. from the former, and 21 S. from the latter; and it is more exactly mid-way between Askelon and Ekron, being 10 geog. miles N. by E. from the former, and S. by W. from the latter. Ashdod was a city of the Philistines, and the chief town of one of their five states (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17). It was the seat of the worship of Dagon (1Sa_5:5; 1Ma_11:4); and it was before its shrine in this city that the captured ark was deposited and triumphed over the idol (1Sa_5:1-9). Ashdod was assigned to Judah; but many centuries passed before this and the other Philistine towns were subdued [PHILISTINES]; and it appears never to have been permanently in possession of the Judahites, although it was dismantled by Uzziah, who built towns in the territory of Ashdod (1Ch_26:6). It is mentioned to the reproach of the Jews returned from captivity, that they married wives of Ashdod, with the result that the children of these marriages spoke a mongrel dialect, half Hebrew and half in the speech of Ashdod (Neh_13:23-24). These facts indicate the ancient importance of Ashdod. It was indeed a place of great strength; and being on the usual military route between Syria and Egypt, the possession of it became an object of importance in the wars between Egypt and the great northern powers. Hence it was secured by the Assyrians before invading Egypt (Isa_1:1, sq.); and at a later date it was taken by Psammetichus, after a siege of twenty-nine years, being the longest siege on record. The destruction of Ashdod was foretold by the prophets (Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Amo_3:9; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:6); and was accomplished by the Maccabees (1Ma_5:68; 1Ma_10:77-84; 1Ma_11:4). It was, however, rebuilt, and was included in the dominion of Herod the Great, who bequeathed it, with two other towns, to his sister Salome. The evangelist Philip was found at Ashdod after he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Act_8:40). Azotus early became the seat of a bishopric; and we find a bishop of Azotus present at the councils of Nice, of Chalcedon, A.D. 359, of Seleucia, and of Jerusalem, A.D. 536.
Ashdod exists at present as an inconsiderable village. The site is marked by ancient ruins, such as broken arches, and partly buried fragments of marble columns; there is also what has the appearance of a very ancient khan, the principal chamber of which had obviously, at some former period, been used as a Christian chapel. The place is still called Esdud.
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Ashdod
(Heb. Ashdod', אִשְׁדּוֹד, a stronghold; Sept. and N.T. ῎Αζωοτς), the Azotus of the Greeks and Romans, and so called in 1Ma_4:15; Act_8:40 (see also Plin. Hist. Nat. v, 14; Ptolem. v, 16); a city of the Philistine Pentapolis, on the summit of a grassy hill (Richardson, Travels, ii, 206), near the Mediterranean coast (comp. Joseph. Ant. 14:4, 4), nearly mid. way between Gaza and Joppa, being 18 geographical miles north by east from the former (270 stadia north, according to Diod. Sic. 19:85), and 21 south from the latter; and, more exactly, midway between Askelon and Ekron, being 10 geographical miles north by east from the former, and south by west from the latter (see Cellar. Notit. ii, 599; Mannert, VI, i, 261 sq.). Ashdod was a city of the Philistines, and the chief town of one of their five confederate states (Jos_13:3; 1Sa_6:17). It was the seat of the worship of Dagon (1Sa_5:5; 1Ma_11:4), before whose shrine in this city it was that the captured ark was deposited and triumphed over the idol (1Sa_5:1-9). Ashdod was assigned to Judah (Jos_15:47); but many centuries passed before it and the other Philistine towns were subdued (1Ki_4:24), SEE PHILISTINES; and it appears never to have been permanently in possession of the Judahites, although it was dismantled by Uzziah, who built towns in the territory of Ashdod (2Ch_26:6). It is mentioned to the reproach of the Jews after their return from captivity that they married wives of Ashdod; the result of which was that the children of these marriages spoke a mongrel dialect, compounded of Hebrew and the speech of Ashdod (Neh_13:23-24). It was a place of great strength; and being on the usual military route between Syria and Egypt, the possession of it became an object of importance in the wars between Egypt and the great northern powers. Hence it was secured by the Assyrians under Tartan (B.C. 715) before invading Egypt (Isa_20:1 sq.); and about B.C. 630 it was taken by Psammetichus, after a siege of twenty-nine years, the longest on record (Herodot. ii, 157). That it recovered from this blow appears from its being mentioned as an independent power in alliance, after the exile, with the Arabians and others against Jerusalem (Neh_4:7).
The destruction of Ashdod was foretold by the prophets (Jer_25:20; Amo_1:8; Amo_3:9; Zep_2:4; Zec_9:6), and was accomplished by the Maccabees (1Ma_5:68; 1Ma_10:77-84; 1Ma_11:4). It is enumerated among the towns which Pompey joined to the province of Syria (Joseph. Ant. 14:4, 4; War, i, 7, 7), and among the cities ruined in the wars, which Gabinius ordered to be rebuilt (Ant. 14:5, 3). It was included in Herod's dominion, and was one of the three towns bequeathed by him to his sister Salome (War, 17:8, 1; 11:5). The evangelist Philip was found at Ashdod after he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Act_8:40). Azotus early became the seat of a bishopric; and we find a bishop of this city present at the councils of Nice, Chalcedon, A.D. 359, Seleucia, and Jerusalem, A.D. 536 (Reland, Palestina, p. 609). Ashdod subsisted as a small unwalled town in the time of Jerome. It was in ruins when Benjamin of Tudela visited Palestine (Itin. ed. Asher, i, 79); but we learn from William of Tyre and Vitriacus that the bishopric was revived by the Latin Christians, at least titularly, and made suffragan of Treves. Sandys (Travailes, p. 151) describes it "as a place of no reckoning;" and Zuallart (Voyage, 4:132) speaks of it as an Arab village (comp. Van Troilo, 1666, p. 349). Irby and Mangles (p. 180) describe it as an inhabited site marked by ancient ruins, such as broken arches and partly-buried fragments of marble columns; there is also what appeared to these travellers to be a very ancient khan, the principal chamber of which had obviously, at some former period, been used as a Christian chapel. The place is still called Esdud (Volney, Trav. ii, 251; Schwarz, Palest. p. 120). The name occurs in the cuneiform inscriptions (q.v.). The ancient remains are few and indistinct (Hackett, Illustra. of Script. p. 185). The ruined khan to the west of the village marks the Acropolis of the ancient town, and the grove near it alone protects the site from the shifting sand of the adjoining plain, which threatens, at no distant day, entirely to overwhelm the spot (Thomson, Land and Book, ii, 319).
The inhabitants are styled (אִשְׁדּוֹדִי, Neh_5:7; "Ashdothites," Jos_13:3; the dialect is the Pim. אִשְׁדּוֹדִית, Ashdodith', Sept. Α᾿ζωτιστί, Vulg. Azotice, A. V. "in the speech of Ashdod," Neh_13:24).
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.
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