Bible Word of the Day
Ekron (Chief City of the Philistines, Tel Migne)
Meaning
Ekron was one of the five capital cities of the Philistines. The Philistines were a people group who lived along the coastal plains of modern day Israel, in the area of Gaza today. They are believed to be descendants of Kashulites or the peoples of the Agean sea. In addition, there were descendents of the giants among the Philistine people. Goliath the giant who was killed by David was a Philistine from the city of Gath, which was located near modern day Gaza. The Philistines for the most part were bitter enemies of Israel. They were conquered and subdued by David and Solomon. And Ekron was one their major cities of influence. The Bible calls Ekron “one of the five chief cities.” This would be similar to our state capitals today.
Ekron was located north of Gaza and somewhat inland. It was one of the northernmost cities of the Philistines. Moreover, Ekron was part of the land God had given to Israel when they entered the Promised Land. However, Israel in their rebellion failed to follow God’s command and take possession of it. Therefore, as a result, it had been a thorn in the nations side during Old Testament Bible times. The city of Ekron, is featured several times in the Old Testament scripture. However, most notably for a battle in which Israel lost and the Ark of the Covenant was taken to the temple of Dagon. This was a temple located in the area of Ekron. God defeated the false god Dagon, by destroying the statue and plaguing the Philistine people. As a result of God’s plagues the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant along with a trespass offering of gold.
“Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: ‘You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. ‘This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines-the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath; all the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians-them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you.'” (Book of Joshua 13:1-6)
“Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the temple of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.” (Book of First Samuel 13:1-6)