Ἄζωτος (Azōtos)
Azōtos
Azotus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Azōtos refers to Azotus, the Greek name for the ancient Philistine city known in Hebrew as Ashdod. Located on the Mediterranean coast between Ashkelon and Jamnia, it was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines. The sources indicate that its name means "a stronghold," reflecting its strategic position in the region.
In the New Testament, this place appears only once, in Acts 8:40. After Philip completes his ministry in Samaria and travels through various towns preaching the gospel, the text notes that he eventually went down to Azotus. From there, he continued traveling northward, proclaiming the good news in every city until he reached Caesarea.
While the city itself holds no theological weight beyond its geographical role, its mention anchors the narrative of the early church’s expansion. It serves as a specific waypoint in the journey of Philip, marking the transition from his work among the Samaritans to his final destination in Caesarea.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Azotus appears just once in the New Testament, marking a specific moment in the early church’s expansion. In Acts 8:40, we see Philip after his work in Samaria, continuing his journey northward. This single mention grounds the biblical narrative in real geography, reminding us that the gospel spread through actual places and people.
For your faith, this detail offers comfort. It shows that God’s mission is not abstract but moves through concrete steps. Philip did not stop after one success; he kept going, preaching in every city along the way. This persistence encourages us to remain faithful in our own daily walk, trusting that God uses ordinary journeys for His purposes.
Though Azotus holds no special theological title, its presence highlights the reliability of Scripture. The authors recorded specific locations, anchoring the story of Jesus’ followers in history. This invites us to trust the Bible’s accuracy and to see our own lives as part of God’s ongoing story, where every step can be used to share hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Azotus,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἄζωτον,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
This verse places Philip at Azotus after his Samaritan ministry, showing the gospel spreading geographically northward toward Caesarea.