Bible Location
11 cross references · Modern-day map available
Ashkelon was one of the five major Philistine coastal cities on the Mediterranean north of Gaza. It is important because it appears in Philistine-Israelite conflict, in Samson's story, and in prophetic judgment against the Philistine coastlands. First appears in Judg 1:18.1
Coordinates
31.66, 34.55
First appears
Judg 1:18
AI summary: Ashkelon stands out as one of the major urban centers of Philistia. It appears in the era of the judges and monarchy as part of the persistent Philistine challenge to Israel, and Samson's connection with the city gives it a vivid place in narrative memory. Prophets later include Ashkelon in oracles against the coastal cities, showing that its significance endured well beyond the early historical books. The cross references present Ashkelon as a key Philistine city tied to rivalry, violence, and prophetic warning.1
Latitude
31.66
Longitude
34.55
Bible references
11
=Askelon=Ascalon, was one of the five cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3; 1 Sam. 6:17). It stood on the shore of the Mediterranean, 12 miles north of Gaza. It is mentioned on an inscription at Karnak in Egypt as having been taken by king Rameses II., the oppressor of the Hebrews. In the time of the judges (Judg. 1:18) it fell into the possession of the tribe of Judah; but it was soon after retaken by the Philistines (2 Sam. 1:20), who were not finally dispossessed till the time of Alexander the Great. Samson went down to this place from Timnath, and slew thirty men and took their spoil. The prophets foretold its destruction (Jer. 25:20; 47:5, 7). It became a noted place in the Middle Ages, having been the scene of many a bloody battle between the Saracens and the Crusaders. It was beseiged and taken by Richard the Lion-hearted, and “within its walls and towers now standing he held his court.” Among the Tell Amarna tablets (see EGYPT) are found letters or official despatches from Yadaya, “captain of horse and dust of the king’s feet,” to the “great king” of Egypt, dated from Ascalon. It is now called ‘Askalan. 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Source note: this 1893 dictionary language reflects its period and may be culturally insensitive or outdated.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 |
|---|---|
| Judg | |
| 1Sam | |
| 2Sam | |
| Jer | |
| Amos | |
| Zeph | |
| Zech |
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.