The Ashdodites were the inhabitants of Ashdod, one of the principal cities of the Philistine pentapolis, located in the southwestern part of ancient Canaan, near the Mediterranean coast. Ashdod is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a significant Philistine city, known for its strategic location and its role in the conflicts between the Israelites and the Philistines.

Historical and Biblical Context

Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities, along with Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath. The city is first mentioned in the context of the Philistine occupation of the land during the period of the Judges. The Philistines were a seafaring people, likely originating from the Aegean region, who settled along the coastal plains of Canaan.

In the biblical narrative, Ashdod is most notably mentioned in the account of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Philistines captured the Ark from the Israelites in battle, they brought it to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. The presence of the Ark caused great distress in Ashdod, as recorded in 1 Samuel 5:1-7 : "When the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD."

The Ashdodites suffered from a plague, which they attributed to the presence of the Ark, leading them to send it away to other Philistine cities. This event highlights the power of the God of Israel over the gods of the Philistines and serves as a testament to His sovereignty.

Prophetic References

The prophets also mention Ashdod in their oracles against the nations. In Amos 1:8 , the prophet declares judgment against the Philistine cities, including Ashdod: "I will cut off the ruler from Ashdod and the scepter from Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish," says the Lord GOD.

Zechariah 9:6 also speaks of the future of Ashdod: "A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines." These prophecies reflect the ongoing enmity between the Israelites and the Philistines and the eventual decline of Philistine power.

Post-Exilic Period

During the post-exilic period, Ashdod continued to be a significant city. Nehemiah 13:23-24 records that some of the Israelites had intermarried with the Ashdodites, leading to a loss of cultural and religious identity: "In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, but they could not speak the language of Judah."

Nehemiah's reforms aimed to restore the distinctiveness of the Israelite community by addressing these intermarriages and the associated cultural assimilation.

Archaeological Insights

Modern archaeological excavations at Ashdod have uncovered significant remains from various periods, including Philistine pottery and architecture, which provide insights into the city's history and its role in the region. These findings corroborate the biblical accounts of Ashdod as a major Philistine center and its interactions with the Israelites.

In summary, the Ashdodites, as inhabitants of a key Philistine city, played a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of Israel's struggles with the Philistines. The city's history, as recorded in Scripture, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenant identity amidst surrounding pagan influences.Ashdodites

the inhabitants of Ashdod, (Nehemiah 4:7) called Ashdothites in (Joshua 13:3)

ASHDODITES

ash'-dod-its, ash'-doth-its: Inhabitants of ASHDOD (which see) (Joshua 13:3; the King James Version Ashdothites, Nehemiah 4:7).

796. Ashdodi -- an inhabitant of Ashdod
... 795, 796. Ashdodi. 797 . an inhabitant of Ashdod. Transliteration: Ashdodi
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-do-dee') Short Definition: Ashdodites. ... Ashdodites, of Ashdod ...
/hebrew/796.htm - 6k

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites
heard that the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was going on, so that ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... 7. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the
Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

Ashdodites (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHDODITES. ash'-dod-its, ash ... 4:7).
Multi-Version Concordance Ashdodites (4 Occurrences). Joshua 13 ...
/a/ashdodites.htm - 8k

Ashdodite (1 Occurrence)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/a/ashdodite.htm - 6k

Ash'dodites (1 Occurrence)
Ash'dodites. Ashdodites, Ash'dodites. Ashdoditish . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Ashdodites, Ash'dodites. Ashdoditish . Reference Bible.
/a/ash'dodites.htm - 6k

Ashdod (21 Occurrences)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/a/ashdod.htm - 17k

Jerusalem's (7 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians,
and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the ...
/j/jerusalem's.htm - 8k

Lengthening (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 4:7 And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard, and Tobiah, and the
Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, that lengthening hath gone ...
/l/lengthening.htm - 8k

Gazite (1 Occurrence)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/g/gazite.htm - 6k

Gittite (10 Occurrences)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/g/gittite.htm - 10k

Gittites (2 Occurrences)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/g/gittites.htm - 8k

Gazites (2 Occurrences)
... even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords
of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the ...
/g/gazites.htm - 7k

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