The term "Ekronite" refers to the inhabitants of Ekron, one of the five principal cities of the Philistine pentapolis, located in the southwestern part of ancient Canaan. Ekron is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a significant Philistine city, and its residents, the Ekronites, played a notable role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of Israel's interactions with the Philistines.

Biblical References:

1. Geographical and Historical Context:
Ekron was situated near the border of Philistine and Israelite territories, making it a strategic location during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel. The city is first mentioned in the context of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 13:3, Ekron is listed as one of the territories that remained to be conquered: "from the Shihor east of Egypt to the border of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite; the five rulers of the Philistines—the Gazites, Ashdodites, Ashkelonites, Gittites, and Ekronites."

2. The Ark of the Covenant:
The Ekronites are notably mentioned in the narrative concerning the Ark of the Covenant. After the Philistines captured the Ark from the Israelites, it was brought to several Philistine cities, including Ekron. The presence of the Ark brought calamity upon the Ekronites, as recorded in 1 Samuel 5:10-12: "So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, 'They have brought the ark of the God of Israel around to us to kill us and our people!' So they sent messengers and gathered all the rulers of the Philistines, saying, 'Send the ark of the God of Israel away. Let it return to its own place, so it will not kill us and our people.' For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was heavy upon it."

3. Prophetic Denunciations:
The prophets also spoke against Ekron and its inhabitants. In Amos 1:8, the Lord declares judgment upon the Philistine cities, including Ekron: "I will cut off the ruler from Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter from Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish," says the Lord GOD. Similarly, Zephaniah 2:4-5 proclaims, "For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will lie in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied, and Ekron will be uprooted. Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: 'I will destroy you, and no one will be left.'"

4. Cultural and Religious Practices:
The Ekronites, like other Philistines, were known for their pagan practices and worship of deities such as Dagon and Baal-Zebub. In 2 Kings 1:2-3, King Ahaziah of Israel sends messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, after injuring himself: "Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, 'Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.' But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?"'"

Archaeological Insights:

Archaeological excavations at the site of Tel Miqne, identified as ancient Ekron, have provided valuable insights into the city's history and culture. Findings include evidence of a significant olive oil industry and various artifacts that reflect the Philistine way of life. These discoveries corroborate the biblical portrayal of Ekron as a major urban center in the region.

Significance in Biblical Narrative:

The Ekronites, as part of the Philistine confederation, were often in conflict with the Israelites, serving as a foil to the people of God. Their interactions with Israel highlight themes of divine judgment, the futility of idolatry, and the sovereignty of the God of Israel over all nations. The biblical accounts of Ekron and its inhabitants serve as a testament to the historical and spiritual struggles between the Israelites and their neighbors.EKRON; EKRONITE

ek'-ron, ek'-ron-it 'eqron, "migration," "rooting out"; Akkaron:

The most northerly of the chief cities of the Philistines. It was not subdued by Joshua (13:3) but was allotted, in the division of the land, first to Judah and then to Dan (Joshua 15:11, 45, 46; Joshua 19:43). It was taken by Judah (Judges 1:18). The people of Ekron are prominent in the story of the ark in the land of the Philistines. It was they who proposed to have it sent back to Israel (1 Samuel 5:10; 1 Samuel 6:16, 17). After the defeat of the Philistines, when David killed Goliath, the Israelites pursued them to the gates of Ekron, which was evidently the nearest walled town in which the fugitives could take refuge (1 Samuel 17:52). It was the seat of the worship of the god Baalzebub, as appears in the account of the sickness and death of Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6:16). It is included among other cities in the denunciations of Amos (1:8) and of Jeremiah (25:20). Zephaniah declares that it shall be rooted up (2:4), and Zechariah speaks of its consternation at the fall of Tyre (9:5, 7).

From the Assyrian records we learn that it revolted against Sennacherib and expelled Padi, the governor he had placed over it, and sent him to Hezekiah, at Jerusalem, for safe keeping. Sennacherib marched against it and Ekron called in the aid of the king of Mutsri, formerly supposed to be Egypt but now regarded by some scholars as a district of Northwestern Arabia. Sennacherib raised the siege of Ekron to defeat this army, which he did at Eltekeh, and then returned and took the city by storm and put to death the leaders of the revolt and carried their adherents into captivity. He then compelled Hezekiah to restore Padi, who was once more made governor. This affair led to the famous attack of Sennacherib on Hezekiah and Jerusalem (Rawl., Anc. Mon., II, 159). Ekron is mentioned in 1 Maccabees 10:89 as being given by Alexander Balas to Jonathan Maccabeus, and it appears in the accounts of the first Crusade.

Ekronite:

An inhabitant of Ekron, used in plural in Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 5:10.

H. Porter

6139. Eqroni -- inhab. of Ekron
... inhab. of Ekron. Transliteration: Eqroni Phonetic Spelling: (ek-ro-nee') Short
Definition: Ekronite. ... of Ekron NASB Word Usage Ekronite (1), Ekronites (1). ...
/hebrew/6139.htm - 6kEkronite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EKRON; EKRONITE. ...Ekronite: An inhabitant of Ekron,
used in plural in Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 5:10. H. Porter. ...
/e/ekronite.htm - 9k

Ekron (20 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EKRON; EKRONITE. ...Ekronite: An inhabitant of Ekron,
used in plural in Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 5:10. H. Porter. ...
/e/ekron.htm - 17k

Ekronites (2 Occurrences)

/e/ekronites.htm - 7k

Avim (3 Occurrences)
... to the Canaanite it is reckoned, five princes of the Philistines, the Gazathite,
and the Ashdothite, the Eshkalonite, the Gittite, and the Ekronite, also the ...
/a/avim.htm - 7k

Ash'kelon (10 Occurrences)
... which is counted to the Canaanites; the five lords of the Philistines: the Gazite,
and the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, and the Ekronite; also the ...
/a/ash'kelon.htm - 9k

Princes (324 Occurrences)
... to the Canaanite it is reckoned, five princes of the Philistines, the Gazathite,
and the Ashdothite, the Eshkalonite, the Gittite, and the Ekronite, also the ...
/p/princes.htm - 40k

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