The site is mentioned repeatedly in Egyptian documents. Its conquest by the pharaoh, Ramses II, in about 1280 is, moreover, immortalized on the walls of the Karnak temple. In the middle of the 12th century, it is one of the five Philistine city-states, located between Gaza and Ashdod. At the time, a muted rivalry reigns between the Philistines and the Hebrews who are engaged in the conquest of Canaan. It will last for almost two thousand years.

The city is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the account of Samson who, in principle, is a nazir – consecrated to God. The laws of the Nazarite are specified in the passage describing the circumstances of his birth:

The birth of a nazir

And there was a certain man of Zora, of the family of the Dani, named Manoah; and his wife was barren. And the angel of the Lord appeared to her saying, “Behold, you are now barren and have never bore a child, but you will conceive and bear a son. Therefore, beware and do not drink wine or any strong drink and do not eat any unclean thing for you will conceive and bear a son: no razor must touch his head for this child will be a nazir to God from the womb; he will deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.

Judges 13: 2 – 5

Samson is indeed careful not to cut his hair nor drink wine, but he cannot resist the charms of women, especially those of the Philistines. Indeed, his raids against the Philistines appear to compensate for his romantic setbacks. Be that as it may, he does not seem to lack either vigor or genius – military – as confirmed by the following passage: