Lexical Summary Eqron: Ekron Original Word: עֶקְרוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ekron From aqar; eradication; Ekron, a place in Palestine -- Ekron. see HEBREW aqar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as eqer Definition a Philistine city NASB Translation Ekron (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֶקְרוֺן22 proper name, of a location Ekrôn, Ακκαρων (in Assyrian Am‡arruna COTGlossary, DlPa 289 who proposes עַקָּרוֺן ); — Philistine city, one of the famous five, Amos 1:8; Joshua 13:3 (D) + 4 t. Joshua (P), Judges 1:18; 1 Samuel 5:10 (twice in verse) + 5 t. 1Samuel; 2 Kings 1:2,3,6,16; Jeremiah 25:20; Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5,7; modern `Âkir RobBR i. 227 ff. GASmGeogr.198 BuhlGeogr.187 f. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Ekron was the northernmost of the five Philistine city–states, situated roughly 22 miles west of Jerusalem on the eastern edge of the coastal plain. Its strategic location commanded the Sorek Valley corridor linking the Philistine plain with the Judean highlands. Modern excavations at Tel Miqne confirm a large, fortified urban center consistent with the biblical portrait. Ekron in the Conquest and Tribal Allotments At the time of Israel’s entry into Canaan, Ekron marked the southern border of Philistia (Joshua 13:3). Joshua allotted it first to Judah (Joshua 15:11, 15:45–46) and then to Dan (Joshua 19:43), reflecting fluid frontiers in the early period. Judges 1:18 records a temporary Israelite victory, yet later narratives show the city solidly Philistine, underscoring Israel’s incomplete conquest and the lingering threat posed by the Philistines. Ekron and the Ark of God The most vivid episode is the Philistines’ disastrous custody of the ark (1 Samuel 5–6). After plagues devastated Ashdod and Gath, “they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as the ark of God entered Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, ‘Why have you brought the ark of the God of Israel to us to kill us and our people?’” (1 Samuel 5:10). The outcry revealed a dawning recognition of Yahweh’s supremacy even among Israel’s foes. The subsequent return of the ark and the guilt offering of “one golden tumor and one golden mouse for Ekron” (1 Samuel 6:17) testify to Yahweh’s universal sovereignty. Ekron in the Early Monarchy During Samuel’s judgeship Israel “recovered its territory from Ekron to Gath” (1 Samuel 7:14) as the LORD subdued the Philistines. In Saul’s day, fleeing Philistines were chased “to the gates of Ekron” (1 Samuel 17:52), indicating a frontier still hotly contested. Center of Baal-Zebub Worship Ekron’s notoriety extends to its shrine of Baal-zebub. When King Ahaziah of Israel was injured he sent messengers “to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron” (2 Kings 1:2). The LORD’s rebuke through Elijah—“Is it because there is no God in Israel…?” (2 Kings 1:3, 6, 16)—highlights Ekron as a symbol of idolatrous dependence on foreign deities and the futility of seeking help apart from the living God. Prophetic Oracles of Judgment Prophets consistently included Ekron among the Philistine targets of divine judgment: These oracles presuppose God’s moral governance over all nations and anticipate both retribution and redemption. Post-Exilic Hope and Transformation Zechariah 9:7 looks beyond judgment to grace: “Then they also will be a remnant for our God… and Ekron will be like the Jebusites”. As the Jebusites were absorbed peaceably into Israel under David, so Philistines from Ekron could be incorporated into the covenant people. The verse previews the gospel’s reach, foreshadowing Gentile inclusion through Christ. Archaeological Corroboration Tel Miqne’s late Iron Age layers reveal an industrial olive-oil complex and abundant inscriptions, including the famous “Ekron Royal Dedicatory Inscription” naming five local kings. Such discoveries fit the biblical picture of a thriving, politically significant city and lend material credibility to Scripture. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Sovereignty of God: Whether through plagues sent upon Ekron or prophetic pronouncements against it, the LORD demonstrates authority over every city and people. Summary From conquest lists to prophetic promises, Ekron’s twenty-two biblical appearances trace a trajectory from hostility toward God to potential inclusion among His people. The city’s account magnifies the LORD’s holiness, the futility of idols, and the wideness of divine mercy—truths still central to gospel proclamation today. Forms and Transliterations וְעֶקְר֖וֹן וְעֶקְרֽוֹן׃ ועקרון ועקרון׃ לְעֶקְר֥וֹן לעקרון מֵעֶקְר֖וֹן מֵעֶקְר֣וֹן מעקרון עֶקְר֑וֹן עֶקְר֔וֹן עֶקְר֖וֹן עֶקְר֗וֹן עֶקְר֥וֹן עֶקְרֽוֹן׃ עֶקְרוֹן֒ עֶקְרוֹן֙ עֶקְרוֹן֮ עקרון עקרון׃ ‘eq·rō·wn ‘eqrōwn ekrOn lə‘eqrōwn lə·‘eq·rō·wn leekRon mê‘eqrōwn mê·‘eq·rō·wn meekRon veekRon wə‘eqrōwn wə·‘eq·rō·wnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 13:3 HEB: וְעַ֨ד גְּב֤וּל עֶקְרוֹן֙ צָפ֔וֹנָה לַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י NAS: as the border of Ekron to the north KJV: even unto the borders of Ekron northward, INT: far as the border of Ekron to the north to the Canaanite Joshua 15:11 Joshua 15:45 Joshua 15:46 Joshua 19:43 Judges 1:18 1 Samuel 5:10 1 Samuel 5:10 1 Samuel 6:16 1 Samuel 6:17 1 Samuel 7:14 1 Samuel 17:52 1 Samuel 17:52 2 Kings 1:2 2 Kings 1:3 2 Kings 1:6 2 Kings 1:16 Jeremiah 25:20 Amos 1:8 Zephaniah 2:4 Zechariah 9:5 Zechariah 9:7 22 Occurrences |
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