Ashdod is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It was one of the five major Philistine cities, along with Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Ashdod’s strategic location on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Mesopotamia made it an important trade center and seaport in ancient times.
Here are some key passages that mention Ashdod and help explain its significance in biblical history:
Ashdod in the Old Testament
Ashdod is first mentioned in Joshua 11:22 as one of the cities conquered by Joshua during the Israelite conquest of Canaan: “None of the Anakim were left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain.” This establishes Ashdod as one of the strongholds of the Philistines that the Israelites had to defeat in order to take control of the Promised Land.
Later, in 1 Samuel 5, Ashdod played a role in the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines after they defeated Israel in battle. The Philistines brought the ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. But the ark caused Dagon’s statue to fall over, leading the people of Ashdod to be afflicted with tumors. So they sent the ark away to another Philistine city.
The prophet Amos mentioned a future judgment against Ashdod in Amos 1:8, along with other Philistine cities: “I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish.” This was fulfilled when the Babylonians later conquered Ashdod.
Isaiah 20:1 specifically mentions the conquest of Ashdod by the Assyrian king Sargon II in 711 BC: “In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it.” This marked the end of Ashdod’s independence.
The prophet Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 25:20, also lists Ashdod among the nations that would have to drink “the wine cup of this fury” from God, referring to divine judgment. Zephaniah 2:4 similarly associates Ashdod with judgments against the Philistines.
In summary, the Old Testament depicts Ashdod as a stronghold of Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, which was eventually defeated and judged by God through various foreign powers that he raised up.
Ashdod in the New Testament
The New Testament contains only one mention of Ashdod, in Acts 8:40, but it provides important information. This passage says that after Philip witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Gaza, he was supernaturally transported to Ashdod. He then continued preaching the gospel in the coastal cities.
This brief reference establishes that there was an early Christian presence and ministry taking place in Ashdod in the decades after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The new faith was spreading beyond Jerusalem and Judea to Samaria and the uttermost parts of the land, including Philistine cities like Ashdod that had once been enemies of Israel.
In the providence of God, Christianity took root in Ashdod. Despite its previous sin and idolatry, the gospel went forth to transform hearts and lives there. What was once a stronghold of paganism became a place where disciples of Jesus were living and testifying about him.
Archaeological Discoveries About Ashdod
In addition to what the Bible records, archaeological excavations at Ashdod have uncovered temples, fortifications, tombs and artifacts that shed more light on its history and culture in biblical times. These include:
- The ruins of a temple dedicated to Dagon, confirming the biblical account in 1 Samuel 5.
- A temple compound for the Philistine gods Dagon, Baal-Zebub and Ashdoda, evincing Ashdod’s pagan past.
- A 6th century BC inscription mentioning the city’s king, Yamani, possibly the same as the biblical king Ahaz’s contemporary Yamani, king of Ashdod (Isaiah 20:1).
- A 13th century BC gate and fortifications that may date back to the time of the conquest by Joshua.
- A distinctive black and red Philistine pottery known as Ashdod Ware that was widely traded via sea routes.
These and other finds bring the Ashdod of the Bible to life and substantiate the accuracy of the biblical accounts concerning it.
Ashdod’s Strategic Location
Ashdod’s geographic position on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Mesopotamia gave it commercial and military significance beyond Israel’s borders. It was situated near major trade routes and accessible to both land and naval forces.
This strategic location helps explain why various powers struggled to control Ashdod at different periods: the Egyptians, Philistines, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. Its port and proximity to the Via Maris highway connecting Egypt and Assyria made Ashdod a prized possession.
The Bible highlights Ashdod’s coastal access and its ships. Nehemiah mentions nobles of Judah having commercial relations with Ashdod’s businessmen (Neh. 13:16). The prophet Jonah sailed from Joppa to flee from the Lord on a ship bound for Tarshish, likely departing from Ashdod (Jon. 1:3). Control of Ashdod meant control of seaborne commerce through its port.
Ashdod and the Philistine Threat
Ashdod’s identity was closely tied to the Philistines, Israel’s rivals who occupied the coastal region. As one of the five main Philistine city-states, Ashdod was a center of Philistine culture, religion, trade, and military might.
The Old Testament highlights how the Philistines presented an ongoing threat to Israel’s control of Canaan. They were “uncircumcised” foreigners (1 Sam. 17:26) who worshiped false gods like Dagon. Their more advanced iron weapons gave them an advantage in battles early on.
The Lord used the Philistines to discipline the Israelites when they were disobedient. But he also empowered leaders like Samson and Samuel to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression when they repented. The struggle between the two nations occuppied much of Israel’s early history.
As a major Philistine stronghold, Ashdod embodied this adversarial relationship. The prophets who foretold Ashdod’s judgment viewed it as one of Israel’s implacable foes that God would punish. Its capture by outside powers fulfilled this prophetic warning.
Ashdod in the Time of Nehemiah
After Judah’s return from exile in Babylon, Nehemiah had to confront the renewed problem of intermarriage and compromised separation between Jews and Philistines in cities like Ashdod. Nehemiah 13:23-24 says:
In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.
This shows how extensive the connections were between Ashdod and Jerusalem in the post-exilic period. Nehemiah had to exercise his authority to enforce proper marital and cultural boundaries between God’s people and surrounding pagan influences.
So even long after the Philistine threat to Israel had diminished, Ashdod continued to represent the allure of foreign gods and practices that could compromise Israel’s exclusive loyalty to the Lord. Nehemiah sought to renew a separation that maintained Jewish identity and faith.
Ashdod and the Gospel’s Reach
The book of Acts’ mention of Philip preaching Christ in Ashdod is a testimony to the universal scope of the gospel. What was once enemy territory for ancient Israel became fertile ground for the messianic Good News.
Ashdod’s cultural diversity, maritime connections, and history as a pagan stronghold did not prevent the light of Christ from shining there through Spirit-empowered witnesses. God overcomes past enmity and prejudice to extend grace to all peoples, including residents of Ashdod.
This incident presages the apostle Paul’s ambition to preach Christ where no one had before, lest he “build on someone else’s foundation” (Rom. 15:20). The gospel’s arrival in Ashdod shows how it reaches even seemingly unlikely places.
The inclusion of Ashdod in the gospel’s progress encourages faith that God can use his people to transform any community or cultural landscape with the light and truth of Jesus.