Ed note: There was a previous Battle of Megiddo, which was waged between Egyptian forces (led by Pharaoh Thutmose III) and a rebellious coalition of Canaanite vassal states. While Middle Chronology places the date of this conflict as 1457 BC, other sources record it as having occurred in either 1482 BC or 1479 BC.

CONFLICT: Battle of Megiddo

YEAR: 609 BC

COMBATANTS:  Southern Kingdom of Judah (1); Egypt (2)

BIBLICAL REFERENCES: 2 Kings 23:29–30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27

PROPHECY FULFILLED: The prophetess (3) Huldah (4) (2 Kings 22:8-20)

In 609 BC, Egyptian Pharoah (5) Necho II (6) gathered his army to rendezvous at  Carchemish (7) with the last remnants of the once mighty Assyrian Empire (8), who had suffered a devastating defeat in 612 BC at the Battle of Nineveh (9). Together at Carchemish, the Egyptians and the Assyrians were to battle the army of the Babylonian Empire (10), led by their King (11) Nebuchadnezzar II (12). The objective was to halt the Babylonians' expansion.

While en route, Necho was stopped at Megiddo (13) by King (14) Josiah (15) of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, who told Necho he was not permitted to travel through Judah to reach Carchemish. A battle ensued, with Josiah being mortally wounded by Necho's archers. Josiah was brought back to Jerusalem (16), where he died from injuries sustained in battle.

The Egyptian army was victorious over the Judean forces, resulting in Judah becoming a vassal/client state under Egypt.

Necho went onto Carchemish, where the Medes (17) aided Babylonian forces in soundly defeating the Egyptian and Assyrian alliance.

Some biblical scholars believe that Megiddo is related to Armageddon (18) as recorded in Revelation 16:16. It is thought that the word Armageddon is derived from Megiddo, since the prefix har means “hill” in Hebrew; hence, Armageddon means “Hill of Megiddo.” (a)

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If you're seeking additional information about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (19). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (20) (b) is the most rewarding and everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (21), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (22), Discipleship Encounters (23) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

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FOOTNOTES:

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judah-1

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/egypt

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/prophets-of-the-bible

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/huldah

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/pharaoh

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/nechoii

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/battle-of-carchemish

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/assyrians

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/battle-of-nineveh

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/babylonians

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-babylon

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/nebuchadnezzar

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/megiddo

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-judah

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/josiah

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/medes

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/armageddon

(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city

(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor

(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

PAGE CREDITS:

 (a) Megiddo, Encyclopaedia Brittanica, accessed February 27, 2020

https://www.britannica.com/place/Megiddo

EXTERNAL RESOURCES:

 (b)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020

https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html