2 Chronicles 35 20

2 Chronicles 35:20 kjv

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

2 Chronicles 35:20 nkjv

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him.

2 Chronicles 35:20 niv

After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle.

2 Chronicles 35:20 esv

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to meet him.

2 Chronicles 35:20 nlt

After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 20 Meaning

2 Chronicles 35:20 marks a turning point in the reign of King Josiah, coming immediately after a period of extensive religious reforms and the celebration of an unparalleled Passover. The verse describes an expedition by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, whose strategic objective was to confront the burgeoning Babylonian power at Carchemish, a city on the Euphrates far to the north of Judah. Tragically, despite Necho's aim not being Judah, King Josiah made the fateful decision to intercept the Egyptian forces, setting the stage for his untimely death. This verse highlights a pivotal moment where Josiah's personal piety and national restoration collide with geopolitical complexities and a ultimately fatal strategic error.

2 Chronicles 35 20 Context

2 Chronicles 35:20 presents a stark and sudden change in the narrative flow. Chapters 34 and the preceding verses of chapter 35 detail King Josiah's exemplary reign, marked by an unprecedented religious revival in Judah. He systematically cleansed the land of idolatry, repaired the defiled Temple, and reinstituted the Law of Moses as the national standard, culminating in the most elaborate Passover celebration recorded since the days of Samuel. Judah experienced a period of spiritual and, implicitly, political independence and peace under his devout leadership.

Historically, this verse is set in the late 7th century BCE. The great Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the Near East and influenced Judah, was in decline, severely weakened by internal strife and the rise of Babylon (Chaldea). Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, seeking to restore Egypt's influence and support the fading Assyrian power against the rapidly growing Babylonian threat, initiated a military campaign northwards. His objective was the strategically vital city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River. Josiah's decision to intercept Necho at Megiddo was therefore a geopolitical act. Though his motives are debated—perhaps to prevent foreign armies from traversing his newly 'purified' land, or to side with the rising Babylonians against their enemies—it ultimately proved fatal and went against the apparent divine will revealed in the verses that follow (2 Chr 35:21-22).

2 Chronicles 35 20 Word analysis

• After all this (אַחֲרֵי כָל־זֹאת - ʾacharê kōl-zōʾt): This phrase serves as a powerful transitional marker. "All this" refers back to the extensive religious reforms, the rediscovery of the Law, the temple restoration, and especially the magnificent Passover described in the preceding verses (2 Chr 34-35:19). It emphasizes that this new development occurs at the pinnacle of Josiah's spiritual achievements and national well-being. It signifies a dramatic and tragic shift from prosperity and obedience to unexpected catastrophe.
• when Josiah had set the temple in order (הֵכִין יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ אֶת־הַבָּיִת - hēkhîn Yôshîyyāhû ʾet-haBāyit): The Hebrew verb "הֵכִין" (hekhin) means "to prepare," "to establish," "to make ready," or "to organize." It reinforces the diligence and completeness of Josiah's work. The phrase indicates that his actions related to the temple (and by extension, the spiritual state of Judah) were settled and effective. The tragedy that follows is therefore not attributed to Josiah's neglect of spiritual duties, but to a misjudgment in a different sphere.
• Necho king of Egypt (נְכוֹ מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַיִם - Nᵉkhô melekh-Miṣrayim): This names Pharaoh Necho II (ruled 610-595 BCE), a significant historical figure from Egypt's 26th Dynasty (Saite Dynasty). His historical actions are well-documented in extrabiblical sources, confirming the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative. His expedition highlights the geopolitical struggles of the late 7th century BCE.
• came up (עָלָה - ʿālâh): A common Hebrew verb meaning "to go up," typically used for travel from Egypt to Israel (as Egypt is geographically lower, or for ascending to battle/power). This movement signifies an military advance, bringing him into Josiah's sphere of influence.
• to fight against Carchemish (לְהִלָּחֶם בְּכַרְכְּמִישׁ - lᵉhillāḥem bᵉKharkᵉmîsh): "Carchemish" was a crucial strategic city located on the west bank of the Euphrates River, in modern-day Turkey/Syria. It controlled vital trade routes and was a key flashpoint in the conflict between the waning Assyrian Empire, the rising Babylonian power, and Egypt seeking to assert its regional influence. Necho's ultimate objective was far to the north, not Judah.
• by the Euphrates (עַל־פְּרָת - ʿal-Pᵉrāt): This detail further clarifies the remote location of Necho's target, emphasizing that his direct concern was not Judah itself. The Euphrates was a major river defining geopolitical boundaries and strategic movements in the ancient Near East.
• and Josiah went out to meet him (וַיֵּצֵא יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ לִקְרָאתוֹ - waYYēṣēʾ Yôshîyyāhû liqᵉrāʾtô): "וַיֵּצֵא" (waYYēṣēʾ) means "he went out." "לִקְרָאתוֹ" (liqᵉrāʾtô) means "to meet him," "to go against him," or "to intercept him." This phrase highlights Josiah's active, intentional decision to engage Necho. He was not attacked but initiated the confrontation, marching his army out to intercept the Egyptian forces, primarily at the Megiddo Pass. This action becomes the tragic pivot of the narrative.

2 Chronicles 35 20 Bonus section

• Scholars debate Josiah's specific motivation for engaging Necho: Some suggest he was aiming to hinder any Egyptian aid to Assyria, thus implicitly aligning with the rising Babylonian power, which Judah might have seen as a less immediate threat or a potential liberator from previous foreign domination. Others suggest a sense of overconfidence from his successful reign, feeling empowered to dictate the passage of armies through his territory.
• The death of Josiah, arguably Judah's greatest king since David, remains a profound theological puzzle. His removal after such exemplary obedience poses questions about God's ways, sometimes indicating that divine judgment upon the nation (as foreseen in his lifetime, 2 Kgs 22:18-20) would still come, and perhaps the righteous are "taken away from calamity" (Isa 57:1) by dying early.
• Megiddo, the historical site where Josiah met Necho (and where Josiah died, mentioned in subsequent verses), gained prophetic significance as "Armageddon" (Har-Magedon, Mount of Megiddo) in Rev 16:16, becoming a symbolic location for climactic final battles.

2 Chronicles 35 20 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:20 encapsulates a moment of profound irony and tragic turning. After chronicling Josiah's unprecedented devotion to God, leading to national repentance and revival, the narrative abruptly shifts to an avoidable military conflict. The verse clarifies Necho's true objective—Carchemish on the Euphrates, indicating his campaign was not directed at Judah. Josiah's decision to "go out to meet him" represents a crucial human error, an intervention into a geopolitical struggle that, according to the subsequent verses, even carried a divine warning via Necho. This raises the sobering point that even the most righteous of leaders, acting from potentially good but ultimately misguided intentions, can make strategic errors that lead to dire consequences. Josiah, having brought Judah into alignment with God's law, now steps out of a seemingly secure sphere of divine favor by choosing to interpose himself where he was not needed or, crucially, divinely directed. It's a reminder that a faithful walk does not exempt one from discernment in all life's circumstances, and that pride or overconfidence, even in successful periods, can lead to unforeseen calamities.