necho Summary and Overview

(lame). #2Ch 35:20,22; 36:4| [PHARAOH-NECHO]

NE'CHO , a king of Egypt, son of Psammetichus, founder of the twenty sixth dynasty, a.d. 612-596. He greatly enlarged Egyptian trade. For peaceful and warlike operations he had ships built after the pattern of the Syrian triremes. He endeavored to unite the Red and Mediterranean Seas. Herodotus states (II. & 158) that 120,000 Egyptians lost their lives in making the excavation. But he discontinued his project in consequence of an oracle which warned him "that he was laboring for the barbarians," as the Egyptians called all such as spoke a language different from their own. It was after this that he built the ships mentioned above. He sent out a fleet manned by Phoenicians, which circumnavigated Africa in three years. He also directed military operations against enfeebled Assyria, but was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish, on the Euphrates, b.c. 605. History relates no further wars of Necho's. He is brought before us in the sacred narrative first in this expedition against Assyria. 2 Chr 35:20. King Josiah marched against him, and closed with him in battle in spite of the message he sent that he was under a divine commission in making war. The battle occurred at Megiddo, and Josiah was killed by an arrow. On his return Necho deposed the son of Josiah, Jehoahaz, whom the people had proclaimed king, and put on the throne Eliakim, whose name he changed to Jehoiakim. 2 Chr 36:4.