Pharaoh-necho, also known as Necho II, was a prominent Egyptian ruler of the 26th Dynasty, reigning from approximately 610 to 595 BC. He is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the context of the late 7th century BC, during the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of the Babylonian Empire. His interactions with the Kingdom of Judah are notably recorded in the Old Testament.

Historical Context

Pharaoh-necho ascended to the throne during a tumultuous period in the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire, which had dominated the region for centuries, was in decline, and new powers, such as Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II, were emerging. Necho sought to expand Egyptian influence and control over the territories of the former Assyrian Empire, particularly in the Levant.

Biblical References

Pharaoh-necho is mentioned in several key passages in the Bible, most notably in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His most significant biblical encounter is with King Josiah of Judah.

1. Battle of Megiddo: In 2 Kings 23:29-30 , it is recorded that "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo." This battle was a pivotal moment, as Josiah, a reforming king of Judah, was killed, leading to significant political and spiritual repercussions for the nation.

2. Aftermath and Influence: Following Josiah's death, Necho exerted influence over Judah by deposing Josiah's son Jehoahaz after a brief three-month reign. As stated in 2 Kings 23:33-34 , "Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he might not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim." This act demonstrated Necho's power and influence over the region, as he installed a king who would be more amenable to Egyptian interests.

3. Conflict with Babylon: Necho's ambitions eventually led to conflict with the rising Babylonian Empire. The Egyptians, under Necho, were defeated by the Babylonians at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, as noted in Jeremiah 46:2 : "Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho 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."

Legacy

Pharaoh-necho's reign is marked by his ambitious military campaigns and his significant, albeit temporary, influence over the Kingdom of Judah. His actions had lasting impacts on the political landscape of the region, setting the stage for the eventual Babylonian conquest of Judah. Necho's interactions with Judah highlight the complex interplay of regional powers during this period and underscore the vulnerability of smaller states caught between larger empires. His legacy is a testament to the shifting dynamics of power in the ancient Near East and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given to the people of Judah.

The Captivity.
... Josiah lived between two mighty powers; the King of Babylon, who had newly taken
Nineveh, and Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt, a very bold and able man, who hired ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ...
... Against him comes up Pharaoh-Necho, in the third month of his reign; and he takes
him (Jehoahaz) prisoner, and carries him into Egypt, and imposes tribute on ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel i preface by.htm

The Final Conflict.
... It was afterwards memorable for the death of king Josiah, when Pharaoh-necho fought
against him, (2 Kings 23:29); so that the mourning as "in the valley of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the final conflict.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... He [2062] having disobeyed Jeremiah the prophet, was slain by Pharaoh Necho king
of Egypt at the river Euphrates, having encountered the latter, who was ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... For there Deborah and Barak destroyed Sisera and his host (Judges 5:19); there King
Josiah was overthrown by Pharaoh-Necho, king of Egypt (2 Kings 23:29.2 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... To it also belonged the plain near the town of Megiddo, where Josiah, in the battle
against Pharaoh-Necho, was mortally wounded. Compare Rosenmueller, Alt. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... It was in connection with this expedition of Nebuchadnezzar that he overthrew the
army of Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish on the Euphrates; for that event also ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Pharaohnecho (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pharaohnecho (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 46:2 Against
Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt ...
/p/pharaohnecho.htm - 6k

Pharaoh-necho (1 Occurrence)
Pharaoh-necho. Pharaohnecho, Pharaoh-necho. Pharaohnechoh . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Pharaohnecho, Pharaoh-necho. Pharaohnechoh . Reference Bible.
/p/pharaoh-necho.htm - 6k

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)
... He fell into the idolatrous ways of his predecessors (23:32), was deposed by
Pharaoh-Necho from the throne, and carried away prisoner into Egypt, where he died ...
/j/jehoahaz.htm - 23k

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... Shallum, Jeremiah 22:11), who favoured the Chaldeans against the Egyptians, was
made king by the people; but the king of Egypt, Pharaoh-necho, invaded the land ...
/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... During the progress of this great religious revolution Jeremiah helped it on
by his earnest exhortations. Soon after this, Pharaoh-Necho II. ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... Many years after this (BC 610), Pharaohnecho II., on his march against the king
of Assyria, passed through the plains of Philistia and Sharon; and King Josiah ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

Pharaohnechoh (3 Occurrences)

/p/pharaohnechoh.htm - 7k

Carshemish (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 46:2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, who
was by the river Euphrates in Carshemish, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon ...
/c/carshemish.htm - 6k

Carchemish (3 Occurrences)
... The Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar, here met and
conquered the army of Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt (BC 607). ...
/c/carchemish.htm - 13k

Car'chemish (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:2 For Egypt, concerning the force of Pharaoh-Necho king of Egypt, that
hath been by the river Phrat, in Carchemish, that Nebuchadrezzar king of ...
/c/car'chemish.htm - 7k

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