ASHKELON to ASHURITES

ASHKELON

Askelon

Ascalon, was one of the five cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3; 1 Sam. 6:17).

It stood on the shore of the Mediterranean, 12 miles north of Gaza. It is mentioned on an inscription at Karnak in Egypt as having been taken by king Rameses II., the oppressor of the Hebrews. In the time of the judges (Judg. 1:18) it fell into the possession of the tribe of Judah; but it was soon after retaken by the Philistines (2 Sam. 1:20), who were not finally dispossessed till the time of Alexander the Great. Samson went down to this place from Timnath, and slew thirty men and took their spoil.

The prophets foretold its destruction (Jer. 25:20; 47:5, 7). It became a noted place in the Middle Ages, having been the scene of many a bloody battle between the Saracens and the Crusaders. It was beseiged and taken by Richard the Lion-hearted, and "within its walls and towers now standing he held his court."

Among the Tell Amarna tablets (see EGYPT) are found letters or official despatches from Yadaya, "captain of horse and dust of the king's feet," to the "great king" of Egypt, dated from Ascalon. It is now called 'Askalan.

Also called ASKELON -One of the five chief cities of the Philistines Jos 13:3

Captured by the people of Judah Jud 1:18

Samson kills thirty men of Jud 14:19

Emerods (tumors, R. V.) of 1Sa 6:17

Prophecies concerning Jer 25:20; 47:5, 7; Am 1:8; Zep 2:4, 7; Zec 9:5

ASHKENAZ

one of the three sons of Gomer (Gen. 10:3), and founder of one of the tribes of the Japhetic race.

They are mentioned in connection with Minni and Ararat, and hence their original seat must have been in Armenia (Jer. 51:27), probably near the Black Sea, which, from their founder, was first called Axenus, and afterwards the Euxine.

Also called ASHCHENAZ -Son of Gomer Ge 10:3; 1Ch 1:6

Descendants of Jer 51:27

ASHNAH

Name of two towns in Judah Jos 15:33, 43

ASHPENAZ

the master of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:3), the "Rabsaris" of the court. His position was similar to that of the Kislar-aga of the modern Turkish sultans.

A prince in Nebuchadnezzars court Da 1:3

ASHRIEL

See ASRIEL

ASHTAROTH

a city of Bashan, in the kingdom of Og (Deut. 1:4; Josh. 12:4; 13:12; 9:10). It was in the half-tribe of Manasseh (Josh. 13:12), and as a Levitical city was given to the Gershonites (1 Chr. 6:71).

Uzzia, one of David's valiant men (1 Chr. 11:44), is named as of this city. It is identified with Tell Ashterah, in the Hauran, and is noticed on monuments B.C. 1700-1500. The name Beesh-terah (Josh. 21:27) is a contraction for Beth-eshterah, i.e., "the house of Ashtaroth."

1. Plural form of ASHTORETH, which see

2. The capital city of Bashan Deut 1:4; Jos 9:10 .Giants lived at Jos 12:4 .Allotted to Manasseh Jos 13:31; 1Ch 6:71 .Possibly identical with ASHTEROTH KARNAIM, mentioned in Ge 14:5

ASHTEROTH KARNAIM

Ashteroth of the two horns, the abode of the Rephaim (Gen. 14:5). It may be identified with Ashtaroth preceding; called "Karnaim", i.e., the "two-horned" (the crescent moon).

The Samaritan version renders the word by "Sunamein," the present es-Sunamein, 28 miles south of Damascus.

An ancient city of Palestine taken by Chedorlaomer Ge 14:5

ASHTORETH

the moon goddess of the Phoenicians, representing the passive principle in nature, their principal female deity; frequently associated with the name of Baal, the sun-god, their chief male deity (Judg. 10:6; 1 Sam. 7:4; 12:10).

These names often occur in the plural (Ashtaroth, Baalim), probably as indicating either different statues or different modifications of the deities. This deity is spoken of as Ashtoreth of the Zidonians. She was the Ishtar of the Accadians and the Astarte of the Greeks (Jer. 44:17; 1 Kings 11:5, 33; 2 Kings 23:13).

There was a temple of this goddess among the Philistines in the time of Saul (1 Sam. 31:10). Under the name of Ishtar, she was one of the great deities of the Assyrians. The Phoenicians called her Astarte. Solomon introduced the worship of this idol (1 Kings 11:33). Jezebel's 400 priests were probably employed in its service (1 Kings 18:19). It was called the "queen of heaven" (Jer. 44:25).

An idol of the Philistines, Zidonians, and Phenicians. Probably identical with queen of heaven Jer 7:18

Worshiped by Israelites Jud 2:13; 10:6; 1Sa 7:3, 4; 12:10; 1Ki 11:5, 33; 2Ki 23:13

Temple of 1Sa 31:10

High places of, at Jerusalem, destroyed 2Ki 23:13

ASHUR

Son of Hezron 1Ch 2:24; 4:5

ASHURITES

mentioned among those over whom Ish-bosheth was made king (2 Sam. 2:9).

(Possibly GESHURITES) 2Sa 2:9; Eze 27:6