Ekron

Biblical Text

Ekron was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines. The other four were Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Gath (Joshua 13:3). The principal passages in which Ekron appears are as follows.

• Division of the land: In the book of Joshua, Ekron is mentioned as lying on the northern boundary of the territory of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:11, 15:45–46). It also appears in the list of the cities of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:43).
• The period of the judges: Judges 1:18 records that Judah took Ekron, together with Gaza and Ashkelon.
• The ark of God: After the Philistines captured the ark of God, it was moved from Ashdod to Gath and then sent on to Ekron. The people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people," and the ark was eventually returned to Israel (1 Samuel 5:10–12, 6:16–17).
• David and Goliath: After Goliath fell, Israel pursued the Philistines as far as the gates of Ekron (1 Samuel 17:52).
• Baalzebub: When Ahaziah, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, fell ill, he sent messengers to inquire of "Baalzebub the god of Ekron." Elijah rebuked him, asking, "Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?" (2 Kings 1:2–3, 1:16).
• The prophetic books: In Jeremiah 25:20, Amos 1:8, Zephaniah 2:4, and Zechariah 9:5–7, Ekron is named among the Philistine cities that would come under judgment.

Background

Ekron lay in the northern interior of the Philistine plain, between the hill country of Judah and the coastal plain. Many scholars identify it with present-day Tel Miqne (Khirbet el-Muqanna). An inscription excavated at the site is reported to contain the name Ekron. The Hebrew name sounds similar to a word meaning "to uproot," so the statement in Zephaniah 2:4 that "Ekron shall be rooted up" is read as a play on the city's name.

Significance in Scripture as a Whole

The place name Ekron does not appear in the New Testament. The name of Ekron's god Baalzebub, however, carries over into the Gospels as "Beelzebub." The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15). In the New Testament the name designates the prince of the demons.

Interpretation and Points of Debate

• Judges 1:18: The Hebrew text states that Judah took Ekron, whereas the Greek translation known as the Septuagint states that Judah did not take it. Interpreters differ on how to reconcile this verse with verse 19, which immediately follows.
• The meaning of Baalzebub: The name is commonly explained as "lord of the flies." Some, however, hold that it is a deliberate Israelite alteration, made in mockery, of a name originally meaning "Baal the exalted." The explanation that Ekron was infested with flies is a conjecture drawn from the name; the text itself says nothing of the kind.
• Zechariah 9:7: This verse says that Ekron shall be "as a Jebusite." Many interpreters take this to mean that, just as the Jebusites were absorbed into Jerusalem, the remnant of the Philistines would be incorporated into the people of God. Some also read the verse as a foreshadowing of the salvation of the Gentiles.

In the Korean Church

Elijah's words to Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:3) are frequently quoted in sermons. The passage is used to warn against relying on something other than God in times of difficulty.