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Ekron

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A Philistine city, one of the five major centers, associated with the god Baal-zebub.

Detailed Definition
Ekron appears in prophetic condemnations and narratives of conflict (2 Kings 1). In poetry, it symbolizes pagan resistance, the mockery of false gods, and the geopolitical tension between Israel and its coastal neighbors, often evoking themes of idolatry and judgment.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ekron—Philistine city—appears in prophetic poetry: “Ekron’s god Baal-zebub could not heal Ahaziah—only Elijah’s word”; A poem on false hope: “They sent to Ekron for answers, but truth came from the wilderness”; In a lament: “Ekron’s ruins whisper: no idol survives the living God”; Modern verse: “Our Ekrons are the places we seek help from dead things.”
Additional Notes
Ekron (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 5–6) was a Philistine city housing the god Baal-zebub (“lord of flies”), mocked by prophets as “Baal-zebul” (lord of dung). In poetry, Ekron represents idolatrous degradation, the mockery of false gods, and the cultural clash between Yahwism and Canaanite religion.
Also Known As
Accaron
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