Pharaoh-nechoh, 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 the biblical narrative, 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 recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context

Pharaoh-nechoh 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. Nechoh sought to assert Egyptian influence in the region, particularly in the territories of the former Assyrian Empire.

Biblical Accounts

Pharaoh-nechoh is most notably mentioned in the context of his military campaigns in the Levant. In 2 Kings 23:29-30 , it is recorded that Nechoh went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and King Josiah of Judah went out to confront him. The passage states: "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."

The death of Josiah was a significant event for Judah, as he was a reforming king who had sought to restore the worship of Yahweh. Josiah's death at Megiddo marked a turning point, leading to a period of instability and eventual subjugation by Babylon.

2 Chronicles 35:20-24 provides additional details about this encounter, noting that Nechoh sent messengers to Josiah, urging him not to interfere, as Nechoh claimed he was on a mission from God. Despite this warning, Josiah engaged Nechoh in battle and was fatally wounded. The passage reads: "After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, 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 against the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry, so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.'"

Political Influence

Following Josiah's death, Nechoh exerted considerable influence over Judah. He deposed Josiah's son Jehoahaz after a brief three-month reign and installed another son, Eliakim, whom he renamed Jehoiakim, as a vassal king. This act is recorded in 2 Kings 23:34 : "Pharaoh Necho 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."

Nechoh's influence over Judah was short-lived, as the Babylonians soon asserted their dominance over the region. However, his actions had lasting implications for the political and spiritual landscape of Judah, setting the stage for the Babylonian captivity.

Legacy

Pharaoh-nechoh's legacy is intertwined with the fate of Judah during a critical period in its history. His military ambitions and political maneuvers are reflective of the broader geopolitical shifts occurring in the ancient Near East at the time. His interactions with the Kingdom of Judah, particularly the death of Josiah and the appointment of Jehoiakim, are pivotal events that contributed to the eventual Babylonian conquest and the exile of the Jewish people.

Apart
... which was to accompany this repentance is said to be as great as the mourning of
the whole nation when Josiah fell in the battle with Pharaoh-nechoh at Megiddo ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 43 1897/apart.htm

Reformation Lessons
... Josiah was killed in battle"by his own fault too"by Pharaoh Nechoh, King
of Egypt. And then followed nothing but disaster and misery. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... [1132] 2 Kings 20:19. [1133] John 14:27. [1134] Ie, Pharaoh Nechoh,--a Rabbinical
interpretation of the surname. [1135] 2 Kings 23:29. [1136] John 12:28. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon.
... upon himself the rebuke of Micaiah; [3881] and the second"though forbidden by the
word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah"went against Pharaoh-Nechoh, king of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxiii to ctesiphon.htm

Pharaohnechoh (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pharaohnechoh (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 23:29 In
his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the ...
/p/pharaohnechoh.htm - 7k

Pharaoh-nechoh (3 Occurrences)
Pharaoh-nechoh. Pharaohnechoh, Pharaoh-nechoh. Pharaoh-neco . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Pharaohnechoh, Pharaoh-nechoh. Pharaoh-neco . Reference Bible.
/p/pharaoh-nechoh.htm - 7k

Nechoh (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 23:29 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 ...
/n/nechoh.htm - 6k

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

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

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Kings 23:33 and Pharaoh-Nechoh bindeth him in Riblah, in the land of Hamath,
from reigning in Jerusalem, and he putteth a fine on the land -- a hundred ...
/b/bindeth.htm - 13k

Subjected (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:33 And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath,
that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and subjected the land to a tribute of ...
/s/subjected.htm - 12k

Reigning (57 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:33 and Pharaoh-Nechoh bindeth him in Riblah, in the land of Hamath, from
reigning in Jerusalem, and he putteth a fine on the land -- a hundred ...
/r/reigning.htm - 24k

Bands (130 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath,
that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an ...
/b/bands.htm - 37k

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