Ekron (2)
Ekron
The latest description of this important place is by Lieut. Conder (Tent Work in Palestine, 2:174):
"North-east of Makkedah, Ekron still stands, on low rising ground — a mud hamlet, with gardens fenced with prickly pears. There is nothing ancient here, any more than at Ashdod or Jamnia; but one point may be mentioned which is of some interest, Ekron means 'barren,' yet the town stood in the rich Philistine plain. The reason is, that north of the Sorek valley there is a Tong, sandy swell reaching to the sea-coast — an uncultivated district, now called Deiran, the Arabic name being equivalent to Its old title, Daroma; Ekron stands close to this dry, barren spur, and above the fertile corn-lands in the valley."
