Ekron
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Meaning, "Firm-rooted" Ekron, (tel Mikne ruins) the most northerly of the five towns belonging to the lords of the Philistines, about 11 miles north of Gath. It was assigned to Judah (Josh. 13:3), and afterwards to Dan (19:43), but came again into the full possession of the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:10). It was the last place to which the Philistines carried the ark before they sent it back to Israel (1 Sam. 5:10; 6:1-8). There was here a noted sanctuary of Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1: 2, 3, 6, 16). Now the small village Akir. It is mentioned on monuments in B.C. 702, when Sennacherib set free its king, imprisoned by Hezekiah in Jerusalem, according to the Assyrian record. Easton's Bible Dictionary |
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The inscription, engraved on a rectangular stone (above) measuring 60 x 39 x 26 cm., was found in the cella, the holy of holiest, of the sanctuary. It reads: The temple which he built, kys (Achish, Ikausu) son of Padi son of Ysd, son of Ada, son of Yair, ruler of Ekron, for Ptgyh his lady. May she bless him, and protect him, and prolong his days, and bless his land. The inscription is unique because it contains the name of a biblical city and five of its rulers, two of whom are mentioned as kings in texts other than the Bible. It is the only such inscription found in situ in a securely defined, datable archeological context. The title "ruler of Ekron" is proof of the identification of Tel Mikne with biblical Ekron excerpt and photo of tablet from http://www.mfa.gov.il |
