Bible Location
Meaning: effusion; inclination; theft · 19 cross references · Modern-day map available
Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities on the Mediterranean route between Egypt and the land of Israel. It is important because of its temple of Dagon, its role in Philistine power, and its later place in prophetic judgment and New Testament travel. First appears in Josh 11:22.1
Place meaning
effusion; inclination; theft
Coordinates
31.76, 34.66
First appears
Josh 11:22
AI summary: Ashdod combines strategic location with religious and political significance. In the ark narrative it is remembered for the humiliation of Dagon before the God of Israel, and throughout the Old Testament it stands among the principal Philistine centers resisting Israelite control. Its importance on the coastal road also makes it a natural target in imperial campaigns and prophetic denunciations. In Acts, under the name Azotus, it reappears in the spread of the gospel. The cross references present Ashdod as a Philistine stronghold where idolatry, power, and later mission intersect.1
Place meaning
effusion; inclination; theft
Latitude
31.76
Longitude
34.66
Bible references
19
Stronghold, a Philistine city (Josh. 15:47), about midway between Gaza and Joppa, and 3 miles from the Mediterranean. It was one of the chief seats of the worship of Dagon (1 Sam. 5:5). It belonged to the tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:47), but it never came into their actual possession. It was an important city, as it stood on the highroad from Egypt to Palestine, and hence was strongly fortified (2 Chr. 26:6; Isa. 20:1). Uzziah took it, but fifty years after his death it was taken by the Assyrians (B.C. 758). According to Sargon’s record, it was captured by him in B.C. 711. The only reference to it in the New Testament, where it is called Azotus, is in the account of Philip’s return from Gaza (Acts 8:40). It is now called Eshdud. 3
Source note: this 1893 dictionary language reflects its period and may be culturally insensitive or outdated. It is presented as historical source material, not as ai-BIBLE’s language, interpretation, or endorsement.
| Book | Cross-References |
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| Josh | |
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Figure1: A table of cross references between the selected passage and other passages (Data from Robert Rouse, “Theographic Bible Information,” Theographic-Bible-Metadata, 2020, https://github.com/robertrouse/theographic-bible-metadata.)
AI-assisted summary prepared for ai-BIBLE and stored as page content, based on dictionary material, place metadata, and linked Bible cross references.
Alistair de Blacquiere-Clarkson, “ai-BIBLE Bible Names JSON Factsheet Aggregating Material from Smith’s Bible Dictionary & Hitcocks’s New and Complete Analysis of the Bible.” ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
M.G.Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
Robert Rouse, “Theographic Bible Information,” Theographic-Bible-Metadata, 2020, https://github.com/robertrouse/theographic-bible-metadata.