Location
Overview
Aphek, by the sources of the Yarkon on the Sharon plain, was a Philistine mustering point. (Several places share the name; this is the Aphek of the ark narrative.)
The ark captured
"The Philistines pitched in Aphek" and defeated Israel, who then fetched the ark from Shiloh into the camp. In the next battle Israel was routed, Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and "the ark of God was taken" (1 Samuel 4:1–11).
The glory departed
When the news reached Shiloh, old Eli fell and died, and the dying wife of Phinehas named her child Ichabod — "the glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken" (1 Samuel 4:21–22).
Another Aphek, another defeat
It was also at an Aphek that the Philistines later gathered before Gilboa (1 Samuel 29:1), and where Ahab defeated Ben-hadad of Syria (1 Kings 20:26–30).
Events Here
The Philistines defeat Israel at Aphek and capture the ark
Scripture References
9 versesJoshua3 verses
Joshua 12:18
The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; Lasharon: or, Sharon
Joshua 13:4
From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: Mearah: or, the cave
Joshua 19:30
Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.
Judges1 verse
Judges 1:31
Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
1 Samuel2 verses
1 Samuel 4:1
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. came: or, came to pass: Hebr. was
1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 20:26
And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. to fight: Heb. to the war with Israel
1 Kings 20:30
But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber. into an: or, from chamber to chamber: Heb. into a chamber within a chamber
2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 13:17
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
Archaeology & History
The ark-narrative Aphek is identified with Tel Afek at the head of the Yarkon springs on the Sharon plain — later the Roman city of Antipatris (Acts 23:31). The name "Aphek" ("fortress" or "stream-bed") attached to several strategic, well-watered sites, which is why more than one appears in the histories.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Aphek
Where is Aphek today?
Today, Aphek corresponds to Tel Afek (Antipatris), Israel.
What does the name Aphek mean?
The name Aphek means “Fortress; riverbed”.
What happened at Aphek in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Aphek include the philistines defeat israel at aphek and capture the ark.
Where is Aphek first mentioned in the Bible?
Aphek is first mentioned in Joshua 12:18.
How often is Aphek mentioned in the Bible?
Aphek is mentioned in 9 verses across 5 books: Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings.
What happened at Aphek?
The Philistines defeated Israel there and captured the ark of God; Eli’s sons were killed, and the news brought the death of Eli and the naming of Ichabod ("the glory has departed").
Is there more than one Aphek?
Yes — several places bear the name. This is the Aphek of the ark story on the Sharon plain (later Antipatris); another Aphek figures in Ahab’s war with Syria.