Neco, also known as Necho, was a Pharaoh of Egypt during the late 7th century BC, specifically reigning from approximately 610 to 595 BC. He is a significant figure in the biblical narrative due to his interactions with the kingdoms of Judah and Babylon, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Historical Context

Neco was a member of the 26th Dynasty of Egypt, known as the Saite Dynasty. His reign is noted for its military campaigns and efforts to reassert Egyptian influence in the Near East, particularly in the regions of Syria and Palestine. This period was marked by the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, creating a power vacuum that Egypt sought to fill.

Biblical References

Neco is mentioned in several key passages in the Bible, primarily in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His most notable biblical interaction is with King Josiah of Judah.

1. Battle of Megiddo: Neco's most significant biblical encounter occurs at the Battle of Megiddo. As recorded in 2 Kings 23:29-30 , "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to confront him, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo as soon as he saw him." This battle was pivotal, as it led to the death of Josiah, a righteous king of Judah, and marked a turning point in Judah's history.

2. Aftermath and Influence: Following Josiah's death, Neco exerted influence over Judah by deposing Jehoahaz, Josiah's son, after a brief three-month reign. As stated in 2 Kings 23:33-34 , "Pharaoh Neco imprisoned him at Riblah in the land of Hamath to prevent him from reigning in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died."

3. Conflict with Babylon: Neco's ambitions eventually led to conflict with the rising Babylonian Empire. The Egyptians, under Neco, were defeated by the Babylonians at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, as referenced in Jeremiah 46:2 : "Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah."

Significance

Neco's interactions with Judah and his military campaigns are significant for several reasons. His defeat of Josiah at Megiddo marked the end of an era of reform and relative independence for Judah. The subsequent imposition of Jehoiakim as a vassal king under Egyptian influence set the stage for further political instability and eventual Babylonian domination. Neco's defeat at Carchemish also underscored the shifting power dynamics in the region, as Babylon emerged as the dominant force, leading to the eventual exile of the people of Judah.

Neco's actions and their consequences are a testament to the complex interplay of regional politics during this tumultuous period in biblical history. His role in the biblical narrative highlights the broader geopolitical struggles that impacted the fate of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.NECO

ne'-ko (nekho (2 Chronicles 35:22; 2 Chronicles 36:4))., "chain"): A neck-chain ornament, worn either separately (Ezekiel 16:11), or with pendants (Isaiah 3:19), such as crescents (Isaiah 3:18) or rings (Genesis 38:25); sometimes made of gold (Genesis 41:42 Daniel 5:29), or of strings of jewels (Songs 1:10). Even beasts of burden were sometimes so adorned by royalty (Judges 8:26). It was considered suggestive of pride (Psalm 73:6) or of filial loyalty (Proverbs 1:9). The word does not occur in the King James Version, but such adornments have always been popular in all the Bible lands.

See PHARAOH-NECOH.

6549. Paroh Neko -- an Eg. king
... an Eg. king. Transliteration: Paroh Neko or Paroh Nekoh Phonetic Spelling:
(par-o' nek-o') Short Definition: Neco. ... king NASB Word Usage Pharaoh Neco (5). ...
/hebrew/6549.htm - 6k

5224. Neko -- a king of Egypt
... 5223, 5224. Neko. 5225 . a king of Egypt. Transliteration: Neko Phonetic Spelling:
(nek-o') Short Definition: Neco. ... NASB Word Usage Neco (3). Necho. ...
/hebrew/5224.htm - 6k

How Josiah Fought with Neco [King of Egypt. ] and was Wounded and ...
... CHAPTER 5. How Josiah Fought With Neco [King Of Egypt.] And Was Wounded And Died
In A Little Time Afterward; As Also How Neco Carried Jehoahaz, Who Had Been ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how josiah fought.htm

How Nebuchadnezzar, when He had Conquered the King of Egypt Made ...
... who at the same time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was
at Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king of Egypt ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how nebuchadnezzar when.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 5. How Josiah Fought With Neco [King Of Egypt.] And Was Wounded And Died
In A Little Time Afterward; As Also How Neco Carried Jehoahaz, Who Had Been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Footnotes
... time. 302 II. Chron. xxxv.20, when he had set the Temple again in order.
303 Or Nechoh or Neco as in our own versions: Heb. {HEBREW ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm

Neco (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NECO. ne'-ko (nekho ... lands. See PHARAOH-NECOH.
Multi-Version Concordance Neco (9 Occurrences). 2 Kings ...
/n/neco.htm - 11k

Pharaoh-neco (1 Occurrence)
Pharaoh-neco. Pharaoh-nechoh, Pharaoh-neco. Pharaohnecoh .
Multi-Version Concordance Pharaoh-neco (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah ...
/p/pharaoh-neco.htm - 6k

Pharaohnecoh
... Nechao (2 Kings 23:29, 33, 34 2 Chronicles 35:22; 2 Chronicles 36:4, the King James
Version, Necho, the Revised Version (British and American) NECO; Jeremiah 46 ...
/p/pharaohnecoh.htm - 11k

Pharaoh-necoh (3 Occurrences)
... Nechao (2 Kings 23:29, 33, 34 2 Chronicles 35:22; 2 Chronicles 36:4, the King James
Version, Necho, the Revised Version (British and American) NECO; Jeremiah 46 ...
/p/pharaoh-necoh.htm - 12k

Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king
of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates: and Josiah ...
/e/engage.htm - 14k

Josi'ah (50 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king
of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah ...
/j/josi'ah.htm - 21k

Euphra'tes (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king
of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah ...
/e/euphra'tes.htm - 16k

Necks (28 Occurrences)

/n/necks.htm - 15k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... In Jeremiah's ode of triumph over the defeat of Pharaoh-neco, there is mention of
the arms of the Egyptians: "Prepare ye the buckler and shield, and draw near ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... In Jeremiah's ode of triumph over the defeat of Pharaoh-neco, there is mention of
the arms of the Egyptians: "Prepare ye the buckler and shield, and draw near ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

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