עֶקְרוֹן
𐤏𐤒𐤓𐤅𐤍
Eqeron
H6138 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ekron, a significant Philistine city-state located in the coastal plain of southern Canaan. The term denotes both the physical settlement and, by extension, its inhabitants in certain contexts. In biblical literature, Ekron is frequently referenced as one of the principal Philistine cities, notable for its political, religious, and military roles.
Semantic Range
city of Ekron (proper noun, toponym), urban center; occasionally, Ekron as representing its inhabitants or territory, rarely with reference to the act or place of uprooting in a figurative sense
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עקר, meaning 'to uproot, pluck up, eradicate.' The suffix -וֹן (-on) is a common place-name ending in Hebrew. Thus, 'Ekron' likely means 'place of uprooting' or 'eradication,' though the precise origin of the toponym is uncertain and may reflect a traditional meaning or a later Hebrew folk-etymology imposed on a pre-existing local name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ekron (עֶקְרוֹן) was one of the five major Philistine city-states, mentioned alongside Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Gaza. Texts such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings refer to Ekron as an important urban and cultic center during the Late Bronze–Iron Age transition, often in rivalry or conflict with the Israelites. The name may have been adopted by the Israelites as a phonetic rendering of the city's own name, subsequently given a Hebrew etymology based on עקר ('to uproot'), though its original meaning and language may have been Philistine or another Canaanite dialect. Greek and later translations render it as Akron or similar, and interpretive traditions sometimes refer to its inhabitants as 'Ekronites.' Ekron is especially noted in biblical narratives for associations with the cult of Baal-zebub. The use of 'Philistine' (not 'Palestinian') for its inhabitants is historically and linguistically accurate for the biblical context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָקַר; eradication; Ekron, a place in Palestine; Ekron.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עקר (ʿ-q-r) — to uproot, pluck up, eradicate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6131 | עָקַר | he thoroughly uprooted |
| H6132 | עֲקַר | were uprooted |
| H6133 | עֵקֶר | to root-stock of |
| H6134 | עֵקֶר | and Eker |
| H6135 | עָקָר | barren man |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6138-01 |
עֶקְרוֹן֙ | eqeron | HNp |
Ekron | Uprooting-Place | 15 |
H6138-04 |
וְ/עֶקְרֽוֹן | veeqeron | HC/Np |
and-Ekron | and Uprooting-Place | 4 |
H6138-03 |
מֵ/עֶקְר֖וֹן | meeqeron | HR/Np |
from Ekron | from Uprooting-Place | 2 |
H6138-02 |
לְ/עֶקְר֥וֹן | leeqeron | HR/Np |
for Ekron | to Uprooting-Place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6138-01 |
Joshua 13:3 | עֶקְרוֹן֙ | eqeron | HNp |
of Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
Joshua 15:11 | עֶקְרוֹן֮ | eqeron | HNp |
Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
Joshua 15:45 | עֶקְר֥וֹן | eqeron | HNp |
Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-03 |
Joshua 15:46 | מֵ/עֶקְר֖וֹן | meeqeron | HR/Np |
from Ekron | from Uprooting-Place |
H6138-04 |
Joshua 19:43 | וְ/עֶקְרֽוֹן | veeqeron | HC/Np |
and Ekron | and Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
Judges 1:18 | עֶקְר֖וֹן | eqeron | HNp |
Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
1 Samuel 5:10 | עֶקְר֑וֹן | eqeron | HNp |
to Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
1 Samuel 5:10 | עֶקְר֔וֹן | eqeron-2 | HNp |
to Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-01 |
1 Samuel 6:16 | עֶקְר֖וֹן | eqeron | HNp |
to Ekron | Uprooting-Place |
H6138-02 |
1 Samuel 6:17 | לְ/עֶקְר֥וֹן | leeqeron | HR/Np |
for Ekron | to Uprooting-Place |