ASHDOD
Anakite city-state (Josh. 11:22), from the 12th century BC, Philistine. Its sanctuary of the god Dagon was famous (1 Sam. 5:2-5), in whose temple the ark was kept in captivity (1 Sam. 5:1-8; 6:17).
Uzziah destroyed its walls (2 Chron. 26:6). In 711 BC, Sargon occupied it (Is. 20:1). According to a story by Herodotus, the pharaoh Psammetichus besieged it around the year 620 BC. for 29 years.
Destroyed by the Maccabees, Ashdod was rebuilt by the Roman general Gabinius. According to Acts. 8:40, Philip preached on it. Today’s Ashdod lies about 7 km north of the ancient town.
The Reina-Valera Bible writes Azotus in some passages instead of Ashdod. It is currently Israel’s second port.