probably of Egyptian origin; Neko, an Egyptian king; Necho. Compare פַּרְעֹה נְכֹה.
Transliteration:Nᵉkôw
Pronunciation:nek-o'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma נְכוֹ (Nekow, `{{H5224}}`) is a proper noun, specifically identifying Pharaoh Necho II, a prominent Egyptian king of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty (Saite Dynasty). The Strong's definition notes its probable Egyptian origin, indicating it is a transliteration of an Egyptian royal name. As a proper noun, its semantic range is highly restricted, referring exclusively to this specific historical individual. It does not carry broader conceptual or theological meanings beyond its direct referent, serving primarily as a historical marker within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Pharaoh Necho is a significant figure in the historical books of the Old Testament, particularly during the twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah. His actions directly impact the Davidic dynasty and the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
1. **[[2 Kings 23:29-35]]**: This passage details Necho's expedition to the Euphrates River to assist the Assyrians against the rising power of Babylon. King Josiah of Judah intercepts Necho at Megiddo, where Josiah is fatally wounded. Necho then returns to Egypt, but not before deposing Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, who had been made king by the people of Judah. Necho imposes a heavy tribute on Judah and installs Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim) as king in Jehoahaz's place. This event marks a critical turning point for Judah, signifying the loss of its autonomy and the beginning of its subjugation to foreign powers.
2. **[[2 Kings 24:7]]**: This verse briefly notes that the king of Egypt (Necho) no longer ventured out of his land because the king of Babylon had taken all the territory belonging to Egypt, from the Wadi of Egypt to the River Euphrates. This refers to Necho's decisive defeat by Nebuchadnezzar at the Battle of Carchemish, which effectively ended Egyptian dominance in the Levant and established Babylonian supremacy.
3. **[[2 Chronicles 35:20-24]]**: This account largely parallels 2 Kings 23 regarding Josiah's death at Megiddo. However, it adds a crucial theological dimension: Necho explicitly warns Josiah not to intervene, claiming that God had commanded him (Necho) to hurry and that God would destroy Josiah if he persisted. Josiah, however, disregards this warning and is killed. This narrative frames Josiah's death not merely as a military casualty but as a consequence of resisting a divinely-sanctioned mission, even if the messenger was a pagan king.
4. **[[2 Chronicles 36:3-4]]**: This passage reiterates Necho's actions following Josiah's death, confirming his deposition of Jehoahaz, the heavy tribute, and the installation of Jehoiakim as king.
5. **[[Jeremiah 46:2]]**: This prophecy directly references Pharaoh Necho's army, which was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, at Carchemish by the Euphrates River. This verse confirms Necho's role as a major geopolitical player whose defeat signaled a shift in regional power.
6. **[[Jeremiah 46:25]]**: While not explicitly naming Necho, this verse pronounces judgment on Pharaoh and Egypt, including "those who trust in him." Given Necho's prominence at the time of Jeremiah's prophecies, he is implicitly included in this divine judgment against Egyptian power.
In summary, the biblical occurrences of Necho consistently portray him as a powerful foreign monarch whose military campaigns and political interventions directly influenced the fate of Judah, leading to the death of King Josiah and the effective end of Judah's independence. His defeat by Babylon also marks a pivotal moment in the broader geopolitical narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
1. **פַּרְעֹה (Parʿōh) `{{H6547}}`**: The generic Hebrew term for "Pharaoh," the title for the king of Egypt. Necho is a specific Pharaoh, illustrating the broader category.
2. **מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם (melekh Mitsrayim)**: "King of Egypt." This phrase is often used in parallel or interchangeably with "Pharaoh" and directly describes Necho's identity.
3. **Assyria and Babylon**: These are the other dominant empires of Necho's era, with whom he engages in alliances and conflicts. Necho's actions are often understood in the context of the struggle between these major powers.
4. **Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim**: These are the Judean kings whose reigns are directly shaped by Necho's military and political interventions. Their fates are intertwined with Necho's actions.
5. **Megiddo and Carchemish**: These are crucial battle sites associated with Necho. Megiddo is where Josiah met his end at Necho's hands, and Carchemish is where Necho's power was broken by Babylon.
6. **Tribute/Taxation**: Necho's imposition of heavy tribute on Judah ([[2 Kings 23:33]]) signifies Judah's loss of sovereignty and its economic subjugation.
7. **Divine Sovereignty/Providence**: The concept that God uses even foreign, non-covenantal rulers (like Necho) as instruments to accomplish His will, as seen in the 2 Chronicles account of Josiah's death.
### Theological Significance
The figure of Pharaoh Necho, though a pagan king, holds significant theological weight within the biblical narrative, particularly in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
1. **Instrument of Divine Purpose**: The most striking theological aspect of Necho's appearance is found in 2 Chronicles, where he claims to be acting under divine command in his expedition against Carchemish ([[2 Chronicles 35:21]]). While the precise nature of this divine communication to a pagan king is not elaborated, Josiah's refusal to heed Necho's warning results in his death. This portrays Necho as an unwitting, or perhaps even a direct, instrument in God's sovereign plan, demonstrating that God can use anyone, even foreign adversaries, to achieve His purposes and bring about His judgments. It underscores the theme that God is sovereign over all nations and their rulers.
2. **Catalyst for Judah's Decline**: Necho's intervention marks a critical turning point in Judah's history. His defeat of Josiah, a righteous king, and his subsequent imposition of tribute and installation of Jehoiakim, signaled the irreversible decline of the Davidic monarchy and the loss of Judah's independence. This period directly precedes the Babylonian exile, and Necho's actions are part of the unfolding divine judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.
3. **The Folly of Resisting God's Will**: Josiah, despite his personal piety, is portrayed in 2 Chronicles as failing to discern God's will in the encounter with Necho. His death serves as a tragic reminder that even righteous individuals can err in judgment and that resisting what is presented as God's command can have dire consequences.
4. **The Transience of Earthly Power**: Necho's initial military successes and his powerful influence over Judah are ultimately overshadowed by his decisive defeat at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar. This rapid shift in regional power illustrates the transient nature of human empires and serves as a testament to God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations.
### Summary
The Hebrew lemma נְכוֹ (Nekow, `{{H5224}}`) refers to Pharaoh Necho II, a pivotal Egyptian king whose actions profoundly impacted the Kingdom of Judah in the late 7th century BCE. Featured prominently in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah, Necho is primarily known for his campaign to the Euphrates, which led to the death of King Josiah at Megiddo ([[2 Kings 23:29-30]], [[2 Chronicles 35:20-24]]), and his subsequent imposition of tribute and installation of Jehoiakim as Judah's king ([[2 Kings 23:33-35]], [[2 Chronicles 36:3-4]]). The biblical narrative, particularly in 2 Chronicles, elevates Necho beyond a mere historical figure, portraying him as an instrument, perhaps even a messenger, of divine will, whose warning to Josiah was tragically unheeded. His eventual defeat by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish ([[Jeremiah 46:2]]) solidified Babylonian dominance and further paved the way for Judah's exile. The study of Necho highlights profound theological themes, including God's sovereignty over all nations and their rulers, the unfolding of divine judgment, and the transient nature of earthly power in the face of God's ultimate plan.
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