Topical Bible: Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death

◄ Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Pharaoh-Necho II, a prominent figure in the late 7th century BC, was the king of Egypt from the Twenty-sixth Dynasty. His reign is notably marked by his military campaigns and interactions with the kingdoms of Judah and Assyria, as recorded in the biblical narrative.

Invasion of Assyria

Pharaoh-Necho's military ambitions led him to engage in the geopolitical struggles of the Near East, particularly involving the declining Assyrian Empire. During this period, Assyria was under significant pressure from the rising Babylonian Empire. Necho sought to support the remnants of Assyrian power against Babylon, likely to maintain a balance of power favorable to Egypt and to expand his own influence in the region.

The Bible records Necho's campaign in 2 Kings 23:29 : "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria." This passage indicates Necho's strategic movement towards the Euphrates, a critical region for controlling trade routes and asserting dominance.

Josiah's Death

The involvement of Pharaoh-Necho in the affairs of the Near East had significant repercussions for the Kingdom of Judah. King Josiah of Judah, a reformer king known for his dedication to the worship of Yahweh, opposed Necho's advance. The biblical account in 2 Chronicles 35:20-24 provides a detailed narrative of the encounter:

"After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to confront him. But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, 'What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.'"

Despite Necho's warning, Josiah engaged in battle at Megiddo, where he was fatally wounded. The account continues: "Josiah, however, did not turn away from him, but disguised himself to fight against him. He did not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command, but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo. Archers shot King Josiah, and he said to his servants, 'Take me away, for I am badly wounded.' So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died."

Josiah's death was a pivotal moment for Judah, leading to a period of instability and eventual subjugation by foreign powers. The death of this righteous king marked the end of an era of reform and the beginning of Judah's decline, as subsequent kings failed to uphold Josiah's commitment to the covenant with God.

Pharaoh-Necho's actions, therefore, had a profound impact on the biblical history of Judah, illustrating the complex interplay of divine providence and human agency in the unfolding of historical events.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 23:29-35
In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
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2 Kings 24:7
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
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2 Chronicles 35:20-24
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
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2 Chronicles 36:3,4
And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
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Jeremiah 46:2
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
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