Ashdoditish refers to the language or dialect spoken by the inhabitants of Ashdod, one of the principal cities of the Philistines. Ashdod was located in the coastal region of southwestern Canaan, and it played a significant role in the history of Israel due to its strategic location and its interactions with the Israelites.

Biblical Reference:

The term "Ashdoditish" is specifically mentioned in the book of Nehemiah. During the time of Nehemiah, after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, there was a concern about the purity of the Jewish community and their adherence to the Law of Moses. Nehemiah observed that some of the Jewish people had intermarried with the surrounding nations, including the Ashdodites, which led to the children of these unions speaking the language of Ashdod rather than Hebrew. This is recorded in Nehemiah 13:23-24 :

"In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, but they could not speak Hebrew."

This passage highlights the cultural and religious challenges faced by the Jewish community as they sought to maintain their distinct identity and covenant relationship with God. The inability of the children to speak Hebrew was seen as a threat to the transmission of the Jewish faith and traditions, as Hebrew was the language of the Scriptures and worship.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities, along with Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites throughout the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. The city of Ashdod itself was a significant center of Philistine power and culture.

The Philistine influence on the Israelites, particularly through intermarriage, posed a threat to the religious and cultural integrity of the Jewish people. The language of Ashdod, as mentioned in Nehemiah, symbolizes the broader issue of assimilation and the potential loss of distinctiveness that concerned leaders like Nehemiah.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Ashdoditish in Nehemiah underscores the importance of language as a vehicle for religious education and cultural identity. The ability to speak Hebrew was crucial for understanding the Law and participating in the religious life of the community. Nehemiah's reforms aimed to restore and preserve the covenantal identity of the Jewish people by addressing issues of language, marriage, and adherence to the Law.

The concern over the language of Ashdod reflects a broader biblical theme of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of syncretism. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, and the preservation of their language and culture was integral to fulfilling this calling.Ashdoditish (1 Occurrence)

Nehemiah 13:24
And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish -- and are not knowing to speak Jewish -- and according to the language of people and people.
(YLT)

Ashdoditish (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ashdoditish (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 13:24 And
of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish -- and are ...
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Ash'dodites (1 Occurrence)
Ash'dodites. Ashdodites, Ash'dodites. Ashdoditish . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Ashdodites, Ash'dodites. Ashdoditish . Reference Bible.
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Ashdod's (1 Occurrence)

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Jewish (49 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:24 And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish -- and are not knowing
to speak Jewish -- and according to the language of people and people. ...
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