Ashdod (ăsh'dŏd), stronghold, castle. One of the five confederate cities of the Philistines, allotted to Judah, Joshua 15:46-47 : the chief seat of Dagon-worship, 1 Samuel 5:1-12. It was three miles from the Mediterranean, and midway between Gaza and Joppa. The place is called Azotus in the New Testament. Acts 8:40. It is now a mean Tillage called Esdud; near it are extensive ruins.