In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates; and King Josiah went against him, but Pharaoh Necoh killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 29. Nechao, six years (Usher, A. 3394.) after he had succeeded his father Psammetichus, with whose ambitious views hew as animated to attempt the conquest of Asia. Marsham sæc. 18. Pharao pretends that God had sent him to attack the Assyrians. 2 Chronicles 35:21. But Josias thought he was only imposing on him, or speaking through fear. The Jews assert that Jeremias also opposed the king’s design. 3 Ezra 1:28. Saint Jerome ad Ctesip. But this does not appear from the canonical Scripture. Calmet.—Meet him, in order to hinder him from passing through his dominions without leave; as this might prove dangerous. Bible.—Seen him, and fought. Menochius.—He received a mortal wound at Mageddo, but did at Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 35:23. Joseph. x. 6.—Mageddo lay to the south of Cison, where Barak had fought before. Judges 5:19. Herodotus (ii. 159.) says, that Nechos gained a victory over the Syrians at Magdolum, and took Cadytis, which is probably Cades, a strong city of Galilee, though some take it to be Jerusalem, as it may be interpreted “the holy city.” Calmet.—Mageddo is called Magdala in the Greek, and Magedan in other copies, and in the Vulg. Matthew 15:39.