2 Chronicles 35:22

Translations

Modern

Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.

Traditional

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

Literal

And Josiah did not turn his face from him. But he disguised himself to fight against him, and he did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God; and he came to fight on the Plain of Megiddo.

Latin

Noluit Josias reverti, sed præparavit contra eum bellum, nec acquievit sermonibus Nechao ex ore Dei: verum perrexit ut dimicaret in campo Mageddo.

Original

Hebrew

English

Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.

Notes

2 Chronicles 35:20–24

The story skips from Josiah’s eighteenth year in 622 BC to the year he died in 609 BC. As the Assyrian Empire weakened, Egypt and Babylon, once under Assyrian control, clashed. King Neco of Egypt, who had allied with Assyria to resist Babylon's growth, asked Josiah to let his army pass freely. Josiah's decision to block them might have been due to an alliance with Babylon or his own effort to gain independence from Egypt. Josiah died because he ignored a divine message given by a non-Jewish king.

Theme notes and profiles

Josiah

Related verses

Judges 5:19
Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no plunder of silver.
2 Chronicles 18:29
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
1 Kings 22:30
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
2 Chronicles 35:21
But Neco 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!”
2 Kings 23:30
From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.
Revelation 16:16
And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Zechariah 12:11
On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
1 Kings 14:2
…and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Now get up, disguise yourself so they will not recognize you as my wife, and go to Shiloh. For Ahijah the prophet is there; it was he who spoke about my kingship over this people.
2 Chronicles 18:4–6
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
1 Kings 22:34
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”
2 Kings 9:27
When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there.
Joshua 9:14
Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.

Parallels

2 Kings 23:28–30

People

Josiah: King of Judah known for his religious reforms Neco: Egyptian Pharaoh during the reigns of Josiah and Jehoiakim

Places

Megiddo: A strategic city in the Jezreel Valley

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Chronicles, Books of First and Second First Book of Esdras Genealogy Huldah Necho, Nechoh, Neco, Necoh Valley of Jezreel

Topics

Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Pharaoh-Necho Josiah: King of Judah: Killed in Battle with Pharaoh-Necho Megiddo: Josiah Killed At, by Pharaoh-Nechoh Necho: King of Egypt Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death Rashness: Josiah, in Fighting Against Pharaoh-Necho Self-Will and Stubbornness: Josiah Self-Will: Josiah Valleys: Megiddo

2 Chronicles 35:22

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?