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Illustrated portrait to come
Neco
A person of the divided monarchy of Israel and Judah, first named at 2 Kings 23:29.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Life, role & deeds
BiblePharaoh of Egypt who marched north through the land; King Josiah tried to bar his way at Megiddo and was killed, and Necho then set Jehoiakim on Judah's throne.
2 Kings 23:29–34; 2 Chronicles 35:20–24
Unknown artistUnknown artist — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyThe Babylonian Chronicle records Necho's crushing defeat by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish in 605 BC — the same rout the prophet Jeremiah names — fixing the event and the pharaoh in dated Mesopotamian records.
Babylonian Chronicle ABC 5 (BM 21946), publ. D. J. Wiseman, 'Chronicles of Chaldaean Kings (626–556 B.C.) in the British Museum' (London: British Museum, 1956); ed. A. K. Grayson, 'Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles' (Locust Valley, NY, 1975), no. 5; records Nebuchadnezzar's defeat of Necho II at Carchemish, 605 BC; cf. Jeremiah 46:2.
Where in scripture
2 Kings2 ChroniclesJeremiah
2 Kings 23:292 Kings 23:332 Kings 23:342 Kings 23:352 Chronicles 35:202 Chronicles 35:222 Chronicles 36:4Jeremiah 46:2Jeremiah 46:17Jeremiah 46:25
In their own words — 1 recorded saying
“But he sent representatives to him, saying, What have I to do with you, O king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against those with whom I am at war; and God has given me orders to go forward quickly: keep out of God's way, for he is with me, or he will send destruction on you.” — 2 Chronicles 35:21
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).