Ekron

What is known

• The northernmost of the five Philistine cities, and the last stop of the Ark of the Covenant before its return to Israel (1 Samuel 5:10; 6:1-12)
• The 1996 discovery of the Ekron Royal Dedicatory Inscription confirmed the site's identification, naming a ruler 'Ikausu' (Achish) and the city as Ekron
• Excavations by the Albright Institute and Hebrew University (1981-1996) revealed a 7th-century BC industrial zone of unprecedented scale for olive-oil pressing
• Ekron's idol Baal-zebub was consulted by King Ahaziah of Israel, provoking Elijah's rebuke (2 Kings 1:2-16)

History

Founded

Settled from the Middle Bronze Age; expanded dramatically as a Philistine industrial center in the 7th century BC under Assyrian vassalage

Population

At its 7th-century BC peak, one of the largest cities in the southern Levant, with an olive-oil industry of regional scale

Industry

The largest known olive-oil production center in the ancient Near East, with over 100 oil-press installations excavated

Coordinates

31.7717° N, 34.8508° E

Rulers and powers

• Philistine city-lords, including Padi and Ikausu (Achish) — c. 1175-603 BC
• Vassal of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — c. 701-630 BC

Scripture references

• Joshua 13:3
• Joshua 15:45-46
• Judges 1:18
• 1 Samuel 5:10 — The Ark brought to Ekron
• 1 Samuel 6:1-12 — The Ark's return journey begins from Ekron
• 1 Samuel 17:52
• 2 Kings 1:2-16 — Ahaziah consults Baal-zebub of Ekron
• Jeremiah 25:20
• Amos 1:8
• Zephaniah 2:4

On a modern map

Ekron today

Further reading

• Tel Miqne-Ekron - Wikipedia