Bible Dictionary
Necho II
Necho II was the Egyptian king who fought at Megiddo, where Josiah was killed, and later defeated Assyria at Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar subsequently defeated his army and recovered the Syrian territories.
Definition
Necho II was an Egyptian king, son and successor of Psammetichus, who reigned during the time of Josiah of Judah. He fought at Megiddo, where Josiah was killed, conquered the Assyrian army at Carchemish, and later lost the Syrian provinces to Nebuchadnezzar.
Biblical Usage
Necho’s campaign led to Josiah’s death. He deposed Jehoahaz, installed Jehoiakim as king of Judah, and carried Jehoahaz to Egypt. His later defeat by Nebuchadnezzar ended Egyptian control of the territories from the Euphrates to the river of Egypt.
Historical Background
Necho II reigned approximately from 610 to 594 B.C. He succeeded Psammetichus and was himself succeeded by Psammetichus II. His major battles included Megiddo and Carchemish.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An Egyptian king, the son and successor of Psammetichus (B.C. 610-594), the contemporary of Josiah, king of Judah. For some reason he proclaimed war against the king of Assyria. He led forth a powerful army and marched northward, but was met by the king of Judah at Megiddo, who refused him a passage through his territory. Here a fierce battle was fought and Josiah was slain (2 Chr. 35:20-24). Possibly, as some suppose, Necho may have brought his army by sea to some port to the north of Dor (comp. Josh. 11:2; 12:23), a Phoenician town at no great distance from Megiddo. After this battle Necho marched on to Carchemish (q.v.), where he met and conquered the Assyrian army, and thus all the Syrian provinces, including Palestine, came under his dominion. On his return march he deposed Jehoahaz, who had succeeded his father Josiah, and made Eliakim, Josiah’s eldest son, whose name he changed into Jehoiakim, king. Jehoahaz he carried down into Egypt, where he died (2 Kings 23:31; 2 Chr. 36:1-4). Four years after this conquest Necho again marched to the Euphrates; but here he was met and his army routed by the Chaldeans (B.C. 606) under Nebuchadnezzar, who drove the Egyptians back, and took from them all the territory they had conquered, from the Euphrates unto the “river of Egypt” (Jer. 46:2; 2 Kings 24:7, 8). Soon after this Necho died, and was succeeded by his son, Psammetichus II. (See NEBUCHADNEZZAR.)