ekron Summary and Overview

firm-rooted, the most northerly of the five towns belonging to the lords of the Philistines, about 11 miles north of Gath. It was assigned to Judah (Josh. 13:3), and afterwards to Dan (19:43), but came again into the full possession of the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:10). It was the last place to which the Philistines carried the ark before they sent it back to Israel (1 Sam. 5:10; 6:1-8). There was here a noted sanctuary of Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1: 2, 3, 6, 16). Now the small village Akir. It is mentioned on monuments in B.C. 702, when Sennacherib set free its king, imprisoned by Hezekiah in Jerusalem, according to the Assyrian record.

(torn up by the roots; emigration), one of the five towns belonging to the lords of the Philistines, and the most northerly of the five. #Jos 13:3| Like the other Philistine cities its situation was in the lowlands. It fell to the lot of Judah. #Jos 15:45,46; Jud 1:18| Afterwards we find it mentioned among the cities of Dan. #Jos 19:43| Before the monarchy it was again in full possession of the Philistines. #1Sa 5:10| Akir, the modern representative of Ekron, lies about five miles southwest of Ramleh. In the Apocrypha it appears as ACCARON. 1Macc 10:89 only.

EK'RON (emigration), the most northerly of the five cities of the Philistines, Josh 13:3; in the lowlands of Judah, Josh 15:11; conquered by Judah, Josh 15:45; allotted to Dan 19:43; reconquered by Samuel, 1 Sam 5:10; 1 Sam 7:14 again a Philistine city, 1 Sam 17:52 2 Kgs 1:2; Jer 25:20; Am 1:8; Zech 9:5; now called Akir, on a hill 12 miles south-east of Joppa, a wretched village of about 50 mud hovels. The prophecy has been fulfilled, "Ekron shall be rooted up." Zeph 2:4. EL, which often occurs as an element of Hebrew words and names, signifies "strength," and is applied not only to Jehovah, but to heathen gods.

("the firm rooted".) Most northerly of the five Philistine lordship cities, farthest from the sea, to the right of the great road from Egypt northwards to Syria, in the shephelah (low country). A landmark of Judah on the northern boundary which ran thence to the sea at Jabneel (Joshua 15:45-46; Judges 1:18). Afterward in Dan (Joshua 19:43); but the Philistines permanently appropriated it (1 Samuel 5:10; 1 Samuel 17:52; Jeremiah 25:20). There the ark of the covenant was taken last before its return to Israel. A shrine and oracle of Baalzebub was there, to which king Ahaziah applied for consultation in his sickness (2 Kings 1:2; 2 Kings 1:16). Zechariah 9:5, "Ekron for her expectation shall be ashamed": she had expected Tyre would withstand Alexander in his progress southward toward Egypt; but her expectation shall bear the shame of disappointment. Zephaniah 2:4 plays on her name, 'Ekron tee'akeer," the firm-rooted one shall be rooted up." Now Akir, 3 miles E. of Yebna, N. of the wady Surar; a village consisting of 50 mud houses, with two well-built wells, is all that remains of the once leading Philistine city, fulfilling the prophecy that she should be rooted up.