Religious structures, which were probably the most important and most visible institutions in the biblical world. 1 Samuel mentions the “House of Dagon” (1Sam 5:2, 1Sam 5:5) and the “House of Ashtaroth” (1Sam 31:10). Judges refers to the “House of Baal-berith” (Judg 9:46) and the “House of El-berith” (Judg 9:4).
1Sam 5:2
2then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and placed it beside Dagon.
1Sam 5:5
5This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
1Sam 31:10
10They put his armor in the temple of Astarte; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
Judg 9:46
46When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the temple of El-berith.
Judg 9:4
4They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the temple of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.
