Location
Overview
Ekron was the northernmost of the five Philistine cities, and the last to hold the captured ark before it was returned to Israel.
The ark sent home
When the ark was brought to Ekron, the people cried, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people" (1 Samuel 5:10). The Philistine lords resolved to send it back on a new cart with a guilt offering (1 Samuel 6).
Border of the unconquered land
Ekron was assigned to Judah (Joshua 15:45) and briefly taken (Judges 1:18), yet it remained a Philistine stronghold "from Ekron even unto the sea" among the lands still to be possessed (Joshua 13:3).
Baal-zebub of Ekron
Its god was Baalzebub; the sick king Ahaziah sent to "enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron," for which Elijah rebuked him (2 Kings 1:2–3).
Events Here
The ark reaches Ekron; the Philistines resolve to send it back
Scripture References
20 versesJoshua5 verses
Joshua 13:3
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
Joshua 15:11
And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
Joshua 15:45
Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
Joshua 15:46
From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages: near: Heb. by the place of
Joshua 19:43
And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,
Judges1 verse
Judges 1:18
Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
1 Samuel5 verses
1 Samuel 5:10
Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. us, to: Heb. me to slay me and my
1 Samuel 6:16
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
1 Samuel 6:17
And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
1 Samuel 7:14
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
1 Samuel 17:52
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
2 Kings4 verses
2 Kings 1:2
And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
2 Kings 1:3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
2 Kings 1:6
And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
2 Kings 1:16
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
Jeremiah1 verse
Jeremiah 25:20
And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
Amos1 verse
Amos 1:8
And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.
Zephaniah1 verse
Zephaniah 2:4
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Zechariah2 verses
Zechariah 9:5
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
Zechariah 9:7
And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. blood: Heb. bloods
Archaeology & History
Ekron is identified with Tel Miqne in the Shephelah, where excavations uncovered a large Philistine city, an olive-oil industrial zone, and a royal dedicatory inscription naming the city "Ekron" and several of its rulers — directly confirming the identification.
People who appear here
Objects mentioned here
Frequently asked about Ekron
Where is Ekron today?
Today, Ekron corresponds to Tel Miqne, Israel.
What does the name Ekron mean?
The name Ekron means “Uprooting / barren place”.
What happened at Ekron in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Ekron include the ark reaches ekron; the philistines resolve to send it back.
Where is Ekron first mentioned in the Bible?
Ekron is first mentioned in Joshua 13:3.
How often is Ekron mentioned in the Bible?
Ekron is mentioned in 20 verses across 8 books: Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, Zechariah.
What is Ekron known for?
It was the last Philistine city to hold the captured ark before its return to Israel, and the home of the god Baal-zebub whom King Ahaziah wrongly consulted.
Was Ekron a Philistine city?
Yes — the northernmost of the five chief Philistine cities.