Ashdod in Smiths Bible Dictionary

(a stronghold), Ac 8:40 one of the five confederate cities of the Philistines situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Israel, 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 Israel to Egypt. It is now an insignificant village, with no memorials of its ancient importance, but is still called Esdud.