Ekron

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Ekron

Meaning - firm-rooted

Ekron was one of the five principle Philistine cities (Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath) of which it is the most northern. It was a major provider of olive oil and was located on a major route of the International Coastal Highway connecting Egypt with Mesopotamia. Its crossroads location also made it a center of much bloodshed as its leaders sought to maintain control of the area.

Ekron was assigned to Judah (Josh. 13:3), and later to Dan (Josh 19:43). Afterwards it came into possession of the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:10). After the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, Ekron was the last of the cities it was taken to. As a result, its inhabitants received the plague upon them and it was these residents of Ekron that placed the Ark on an ox cart that was drawn by cows and sent it up the Sorek Valley and into the Israelite territory of Beth Shemesh (1 Sam 5, 6). As a trespass offering, the Philistines placed 5 golden tumors and 5 golden rats (one for each of the 5 cities) in a chest next to the Ark when they returned it to Israel so that God would remove the plague from them. Later, when David killed Goliath, the Israelites pursued the Philistines to the gates of Ekron (1 Sam 17:52).

In 701 B.C. Padi the ruler of Ekron, was expelled by the Ekronites and held prisoner by Judah’s King Hezekiah in Jerusalem, but Sennacherib, king of Assyria, retook Ekron and restored Padi.

Ekron is identified with Khirbet al-Muqanna (Tel Miqne). It has provided a wealth of archaeological knowledge about its inhabitants.

Scriptures

Joshua 15: 11,45,46

Joshua 19: 43

Judges 1: 18

1 Samuel 5: 10

1 Samuel 6: 16,17

1 Samuel 7: 14

1 Samuel 17: 52

2 Kings 1: 2-16

Jeremiah 25: 20

Amos 1: 8

Joshua 13: 3

Zechariah 9: 5,7