A town in Philistia; one of the five cities of the Philistines.
About Ashdod
One of the five main Philistine cities, also called the "pentapolis." The other four cities are Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron (Joshua 13:3).
It was in an important location about three miles (4.8 kilometers) inland, between Joppa and Gaza, and close to the coast. Its ancient port, Ashdod Yam, was an important sea port, later outgrowing the inland city itself. Excavations at Ashdod have revealed its early Canaanite occupation dating back to the 17th century BC. When the Israelites entered Canaan, Ashdod was occupied by the Anakim, a giant (tall) race, (Joshua 11:21–22). Though it was assigned to the tribe of Judah, it was not initially conquered (Joshua 15:46–47). The people of Ashdod were called Ashdodites (Joshua 13:4; Nehemiah 4:7).
Key References
But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod,
from Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages;
Before the year that the chief commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it,
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
Uzziah went out to wage war against the Philistines, and he tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines.
All Scripture References (21)
Joshua (4)
No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive.
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
from Ekron to the sea, all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages;
Ashdod, with its towns and villages; Gaza, with its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.
1 Samuel (6)
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod,
When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place.
That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on the threshold.
Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.
And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.”
As a guilt offering to the LORD, the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.
2 Chronicles (1)
Uzziah went out to wage war against the Philistines, and he tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines.
Nehemiah (3)
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews
In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.
Isaiah (1)
Before the year that the chief commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it,
Jeremiah (1)
all the mixed tribes; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;
Amos (2)
I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord GOD.
Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod and to the citadels of Egypt: “Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest in the city and the acts of oppression in her midst.”
Zephaniah (1)
For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.
Zechariah (1)
A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
Acts (1)
But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.