Ashdod (Tel Ashdod)
Dagon's city, where the Ark toppled the idol
Found 1962 — Moshe Dothan (Israel Department of Antiquities) with David Noel Freedman, 1962–72
Where Tel Ashdod (Isdud), 5 km south of modern Ashdod (Israel)
Dates from c. 1175–1000 BCE (Philistine founding and growth) · Iron Age I · Judges and Shmuel (Samuel)
Now at Site; Ashdoda figurine and cult stand in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; other finds in the Corinne Mamane Museum of Philistine Culture, Ashdod
How Ashdod (Tel Ashdod) was found
Nine seasons revealed a Late Bronze Canaanite town destroyed c. 1200 BCE and rebuilt as a Philistine city with locally made Mycenaean IIIC pottery, then bichrome ware. Finds include the 'Ashdoda,' a seated goddess figurine fused with her chair, and a later musicians' cult stand.
What it is
A 70-acre city (upper and lower) on the coastal road. The 'Ashdoda' is a small painted clay figure of a woman whose body becomes a throne, in Mycenaean style. Later levels have a fortified gate and Assyrian-period remains.
Why it matters for the Bible
Ashdod is where the captured Ark was placed in the temple of Dagon and the idol fell before it (1 Shmuel 5:1-5). Excavation shows a genuine Philistine city founded by Aegean newcomers at the right time. The Ashdoda figurine gives a glimpse of Philistine religion before they adopted the Canaanite god Dagon named in Scripture. No temple of Dagon has yet been found.
The Hebrew word: dah-GONE
דָּגוֹן
דָּגוֹן is pronounced dah-GONE and means Dagon, grain god of the Philistines (Strong's H1712).
Places
- Ashdod — אַשְׁדּוֹד (ash-DOHD) — stronghold (uncertain)
Events
Ark in the temple of Dagon at Ashdod (1 Samuel 5:1-7) · Anakim survive in Ashdod (Joshua 11:22)
Ashdod (Tel Ashdod) in Scripture
Joshua 11:22 Anakim remained only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod; the city was outside Israel's control. (First mention of Ashdod.)
1 Samuel 5:1-4 The Ark placed beside Dagon at Ashdod; the excavated Philistine city is that Ashdod.
Questions people ask
What is Ashdod (Tel Ashdod)?
A 70-acre city (upper and lower) on the coastal road. The 'Ashdoda' is a small painted clay figure of a woman whose body becomes a throne, in Mycenaean style. Later levels have a fortified gate and Assyrian-period remains.
When was Ashdod (Tel Ashdod) discovered?
It was found in 1962 by Moshe Dothan (Israel Department of Antiquities) with David Noel Freedman, 1962–72, at Tel Ashdod (Isdud), 5 km south of modern Ashdod.
Where is Ashdod (Tel Ashdod) today?
Site; Ashdoda figurine and cult stand in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; other finds in the Corinne Mamane Museum of Philistine Culture, Ashdod.
Which Bible verses does Ashdod (Tel Ashdod) relate to?
Joshua 11:22, 1 Samuel 5:1-4.
Related discoveries
- אֶבֶן גְּדוֹלָהTel Beth Shemesh Iron IIA TownA border town of Judah facing the Philistines, with a giant water reservoir
- פְּלִשְׁתִּיםSea Peoples Reliefs at Medinet HabuRamesses III's carved record of the Peleset (Philistines) arriving
- צִקְלַגKhirbet a-Ra'i (Ziklag?)A Philistine-era site proposed as David's town of refuge
- עֶקְרוֹןTel Miqne-Ekron Olive-Oil Industry and Royal InscriptionThe largest olive-oil factory of the ancient world, and a Philistine king's dedication naming his city
- עַמּוּדִיםTell Qasile Philistine TemplesThree superimposed shrines with roof-bearing pillars
- מַחֲנֶהAphek (Tel Afek): Egyptian Governor's ResidenceWhere the Philistines camped before Ebenezer
Sources
- M. Dothan & D. N. Freedman, Ashdod I–V, 'Atiqot (1967–2005)
- Wikipedia: Ashdod (ancient city) / Tel Ashdod