NECHO, or Nechao, King of Egypt. This Prince carried his Arms as far as the Euphrates, and conquer’d the City of Carchemish. He is known not only in Scripture, but by Herodotus. This Historian says1, that Necho was Son of Psammeticus King of Egypt, and having succeeded him in the Kingdom, he raised great Armies by Land, and set out great Fleets as well upon the Mediterranean Sea as the Red Sea; that he gave Battle to the Syrians near the City of Migdol, obtained the Victory, and made himself Master of the City of Cadytis. But Cadytis, says he, is a great City that belongs to the Syrians of Palestine. The Learned are not agreed about this City Cadytis. Some will have it to be Cades in Arabia Petrea; others Jerusalem, which they say is call’d Cadyta or Cadytis, the Holy City, because of its Temple. Others say it is the City Cedes in Galilee, in the Tribe of Naphtali. There is the same Difficulty about Magdalum or Migdol. See its Article.
The Scripture acquaints us with the whole Expedition of Necho in all its particulars. This Prince having drawn out his Army into the Field2, to make War with the Assyrians or Babylonians, and to take the City of Carchemish, otherwise call’d Cercusium, upon the Euphrates; Josiah King of Judah, who was a Tributary to the King of Babylon, march’d to oppose his Passage. Necho, who had no Designs against him, sent to tell him, “ What “ have I to do with you King of Judah? “ ‘Tis not against you that I am come “ forth, but against another People, against “ whom the Lord has commanded me to “ make war. Leave off therefore to set “ yourself against me, for fear the Lord “ should punish you for your Resistance. ‘Tis thought that3 Necho had received an Admonition from Jeremiah, to march against Carchemish. But Josiah would not hear the Remonstrances of Necho, but gave him Battle at Megiddo, where he re-
Matt. xviii. 7. ceived the Wound of which he died. The People of Jerusalem set up Jehoahaz or Joachaz for King of Judah, and Necho soon pass’d forwards, without making any longer Stay in Judea.
But at his Return from his Expedition, which was very successful, he halted at Riblah in Syria; and sending for Jehoahaz King of the Jews, he deposed him, loaded him with Chains, and sent him into Egypt. Then coming to Jerusalem, he set up Eliakim or Jehoiakim in his Place, and exacted the payment of one hundred Talents of Silver, and one Talent of Gold Jerem. xlvi. 2.from the Country. Jeremiah acquaints us, that the City of Carchemish was taken from Necho by Nabopolassar King of Babylon, in the fourth Year of Jehoiachim King of Judah; so that Necho did not enjoy his Conquest above four Years. Josephus adds4, that the King of Babylon pursuing his Victory, brought under his Dominion all the whole Country, which is between Euphrates and Egypt, excepting Judea. Thus Necho was again reduced within the Limits of his own Country.
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