AZO´TUS
AZO´TUS (
Ἄζωτος: Eth.
Ἀζώτιος),the
ASHDOD of Scripture, a city assigned to the tribe of Judah in the division of the Promised Land (
Josh. 15.47), but occupied by the Philistines, and reckoned as one of their five principal cities, where was the chief seat of the worship of Dagon. (1
Sam. 1.1--7.)
It is celebrated by Herodotus as having stood a siege of 29 years from Psammetichus, king of Egypt (about B.C. 630), the longest of any city he was acquainted with (2.157).
It was taken by the Assyrians under Tartan, the general of King Sennacherib (B.C. 713;
Is. 20.1).
It was taken by Judas Maccabaeus (1
Macc. 9.50), and by his brother Jonathan (10.77); restored by Gabinius (
J. AJ 14.5.3), and given by Augustus to Salome (17.13.5).
The ancient geographical and historical notices place it between
Askelon and
Jamnia, south of the latter, near the coast, but not actually on the sea shore. Its site is clearly identified by the modern village of
Esdd, situated on a grassy hill, surrounded by wood. No ruins have been discovered there. (Irby and Mangles, pp. 179--182; and Richardson, as cited in Robinson's
Bib. Res. vol. ii. p. 368; Reland, pp. 606-609.)
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G.W]
