Ashdod or Azotus

The Arabic Esdud, seat of the worship of Dagon (1 Sam. 5:1–9). Though allotted to Judah (Josh. 15:46–47) and occasionally held by kings of Judah (2 Chr. 26:6), it remained a Philistine city (Neh. 4:7; Amos 1:8). It was on the main route from Egypt to Phoenicia, midway between Gaza and Joppa. See Philistines.