Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Megiddo is an ancient city of significant historical and biblical importance, located in the Jezreel Valley in modern-day Israel. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible and is associated with pivotal events in Israel's history. The site of Megiddo has been extensively excavated, revealing layers of occupation that span several millennia.
Biblical References:Megiddo is first mentioned in the context of the Canaanite cities that were conquered by Joshua. In
Joshua 12:21, it is listed among the cities whose kings were defeated: "the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one." Despite this initial conquest, the Israelites struggled to maintain control over Megiddo.
Judges 1:27 notes, "But Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land."
Megiddo is also the site of a significant battle involving King Josiah of Judah. In
2 Kings 23:29-30, it is recorded that Josiah went to confront Pharaoh Neco of Egypt at Megiddo, where he was fatally wounded: "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo."
Archaeological Significance:The archaeological site of Megiddo, known as Tel Megiddo, has revealed a wealth of information about the ancient Near East. Excavations have uncovered fortifications, palaces, and stables, indicating that Megiddo was a major city and military stronghold. The strategic location of Megiddo, controlling the pass through the Carmel Ridge, made it a key site for trade and military campaigns.
Prophetic Significance:Megiddo is famously associated with the prophetic vision of Armageddon in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 16:16 states, "And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon." The term "Armageddon" is derived from "Har Megiddo," meaning "Mount of Megiddo." This has led to interpretations that the final battle between the forces of good and evil will occur in this region, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
Historical Context:Throughout its history, Megiddo was a focal point of conflict due to its strategic location on the Via Maris, an ancient trade route connecting Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was a site of numerous battles, including those involving Egyptian, Canaanite, Israelite, and Assyrian forces. The city's prominence is reflected in its mention in various ancient texts and inscriptions outside the Bible, including Egyptian records.
Cultural and Religious Impact:Megiddo's role in biblical history and prophecy has made it a subject of interest for theologians, historians, and archaeologists. Its association with the end times in Christian eschatology has further cemented its place in religious thought. The site serves as a reminder of the historical struggles of the Israelites and the enduring hope for divine intervention and ultimate victory.
Conclusion:While Megiddo's historical and archaeological significance is well-documented, its prophetic implications continue to inspire and intrigue believers. The city's legacy as a place of conflict and prophecy underscores its enduring relevance in biblical studies and Christian theology.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Megiddohis precious fruit; declaring a message
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Megiddo(place of crowns) was in a very marked position on the southern rim of the plain of Esdraelon, on the frontier line of the territories of the tribes of Issachar and Manasseh, 6 miles from Mount Carmel and 11 from Nazareth. It commanded one of those passes from the north into the hill country which were of such critical importance on various occasions in the history of Judea. Judith 4:7. The first mention occurs in (Joshua 12:21) where Megiddo appears as the city of one of the kings whom Joshua defeated on the west of the Jordan. The song of Deborah brings the place vividly before us, as the scene of the great conflict between Sisera and Barak. When Pharaoh-necho came from Egypt against the king of Assyria, Josiah joined the latter, and was slain at Megiddo. (2 Kings 23:29;2 Chronicles 35:22-24) Megiddo is the modernel-Lejjun , which is undoubtedly the Legio of Eusebius and Jerome. There is a copious stream flowing down the gorge, and turning some mills before joining the Kishon. Here are probably the "waters of Megiddo" of (Judges 5:19)
ATS Bible Dictionary
MegiddoA town of Manesseh, thought within the bounds of Issachar. It had been a royal city of the Canaanites, and they long retained a foothold in it,Joshua 12:21; 17:11;Jude 1:27. It lay in the southwest border of the plain of Esdraelon, near the Kishon, which is probably intended by "the waters of Megiddo," mentioned in the song of Deborah and Barak as the scene of their victory, Jud 5:19,21. In the reign of Solomon, Megiddo was fortified,1 Kings 9:15. Here king Ahaziah died, and King Josiah was defeated, slain, and sorely lamented,2 Kings 9:27; 23:29;Zechariah 12:11. Robinson identifies it with a village now called Lejun, the Legio of the Romans.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Place of troops, originally one of the royal cities of the Canaanites (
Joshua 12:21), belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (
Judges 1:27), but does not seem to have been fully occupied by the Israelites till the time of Solomon (
1 Kings 4:12;
9:15).
The valley or plain of Megiddo was part of the plain of Esdraelon, the great battle-field of Palestine. It was here Barak gained a notable victory over Jabin, the king of Hazor, whose general, Sisera, led on the hostile army. Barak rallied the warriors of the northern tribes, and under the encouragement of Deborah (q.v.), the prophetess, attacked the Canaanites in the great plain. The army of Sisera was thrown into complete confusion, and was engulfed in the waters of the Kishon, which had risen and overflowed its banks (Judges 4:5).
Many years after this (B.C. 610), Pharaohnecho II., on his march against the king of Assyria, passed through the plains of Philistia and Sharon; and King Josiah, attempting to bar his progress in the plain of Megiddo, was defeated by the Egyptians. He was wounded in battle, and died as they bore him away in his chariot towards Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:29;2 Chronicles 35:22-24), and all Israel mourned for him. So general and bitter was this mourning that it became a proverb, to which Zechariah (12:11, 12) alludes. Megiddo has been identified with the modern el-Lejjun, at the head of the Kishon, under the north-eastern brow of Carmel, on the south-western edge of the plain of Esdraelon, and 9 miles west of Jezreel. Others identify it with Mujedd'a, 4 miles south-west of Bethshean, but the question of its site is still undetermined.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MEGIDDO; MEGIDDONme-gid'-o, me-gid'-on (meghiddo, meghiddon; Magiddo, Mageddon, Magdo): A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was slain by Joshua (Joshua 12:21). It lay within the territory of Issachar, but was one of the cities assigned to Manasseh (Joshua 17:111 Chronicles 7:29). Manasseh, however, was not able to expel the Canaanites, who therefore continued to dwell in that land. Later, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, the Canaanites were put to taskwork (Joshua 17:12Judges 1:27 f). The host of Sisera was drawn to the river Kishon, and here, "by the waters of Megiddo," the famous battle was fought (Judges 5:19). By the time of Solomon, Israel's supremacy was unquestioned. Megiddo was included in one of his administrative districts (1 Kings 4:12), and it was one of the cities which he fortified (1 Kings 9:15). Ahaziah, mortally wounded at the ascent of Gur, fled to Megiddo to die (2 Kings 9:27). At Megiddo, Josiah, king of Judah, attempted to arrest Pharaoh-necoh and his army on their march to the Euphrates against the king of Assyria. Here the Egyptian monarch "slew him.... when he had seen him," and from Megiddo went the sorrowful procession to Jerusalem with Josiah's corpse (2 Kings 23:292 Chronicles 35:20). The sad tale is told again in 1 Esdras 1:25;. "The mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" became a poetical expression for the deepest and most despairing grief (Zechariah 12:11).
See alsoARMAGEDDON.
The constant association of Megiddo with Taanach (Tell Ta`anek) points to a position on the south edge of the plain of Esdraelon. In confirmation of this, we read (RP, 1st series, II, 35-47) that Thothmes III captured Megiddo, after having defeated the Palestinian allies who opposed him. He left his camp at Aruna (possibly `Ar`arah), and, following a defile (possibly Wady `Arah), he approached Megiddo from the South We should thus look for the city where the pass opens on the plain; and here, at Khan el-Lejjan, we find extensive ruins on both sides of a stream which turns several mills before falling into the Kishon. We may identify the site with Megiddo, and the stream with "the waters of Megiddo." Pharaoh-necoh would naturally take the same line of march, and his advance could be nowhere more hopefully opposed than at el-Lejjun. Tell el-Mutasellim, a graceful mound hard by, on the edge of the plain, may have formed the acropolis of Megiddo.
The name Mujadda` attaches to a site 3 miles South of Beisan in the Jordan valley. Here Conder would place Megiddo. But while there is a resemblance in the name, the site really suits none of the Biblical data. The phrase "Taanach by the waters of Megiddo" alone confines us to a very limited area. No position has yet been suggested which meets all the conditions as well as el-Lejjun.
The Khan here shows that the road through the pass from Esdraelon to the plain of Sharon and the coast was still much frequented in the Middle Ages.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
7028. Qishon -- a wadi in the plain ofMegiddo... 7027, 7028. Qishon. 7029 . a wadi in the plain of
Megiddo. Transliteration:
Qishon Phonetic Spelling: (kee-shone') Short Definition: Kishon.
...4023b. Megiddon -- a place in Manasseh
Megiddon orMegiddo. 4023a, 4023b. Megiddon orMegiddo. 4024 . a place in Manasseh.
Transliteration: Megiddon orMegiddo Short Definition:Megiddo....
4023. Mgiddown -- a tower
... 4022, 4023. Mgiddown. 4023a . a tower. Transliteration: Mgiddown Phonetic Spelling:
(meg-id-done') Short Definition:Megiddo.Megiddo, Megiddon (Zech....
Library
FromMegiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... 1. FromMegiddo to Carchemish, 608-605. Josiah's... Egypt. Of this fresh sorrow
Jeremiah sang as if it had drowned out the sorrow ofMegiddo"....
Appendix ii.
... making war by land on the Syrians defeated them at Magdolos and after the battle
took Kadutis, a great city of Syria." Magdolos is probablyMegiddo, unless it...
The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... Testament. The name (...) har-megiddo) means the mount ofMegiddo; and the
name is ominous as to what the result of this battle will be....
A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach
by the Waters ofMegiddo, They took no booty of silver....
Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. )
... 604-3, and of which some may have been delivered during the reign of Josiah, but
the most of them more probably either upon its tragic close atMegiddo in 608...
Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... Moreover, the phrase We are delivered! VII.10, which does not recur in XXVI, suits
the conditions before, rather than those after, the Battle ofMegiddo....
The Early Life of St. Joseph
... He was, however, too humble to give it up; though he left that place and worked
afterwards at Thanath, [70] nearMegiddo, by a small river called Kishon which...
Apart
... to accompany this repentance is said to be as great as the mourning of the whole
nation when Josiah fell in the battle with Pharaoh-nechoh atMegiddo: "In that...
Introduction
... mastery on the plains of Palestine; the possession of Jerusalem allowed the Assyrian
king to march unopposed into Egypt, and the battle ofMegiddo placed all...
The Captivity.
... Josiah, being a tributary of Babylon, thought it his duty to endeavour to stop him,
and going out to battle with him atMegiddo, was there mortally wounded...
Thesaurus
Megiddo (13 Occurrences)... The valley or plain of
Megiddo was part of the plain of Esdraelon, the great
battle-field of Palestine.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MEGIDDO; MEGIDDON.
...Megiddon (1 Occurrence)
...MEGIDDO; MEGIDDON....Megiddo was included in one of his administrative districts (1
Kings 4:12), and it was one of the cities which he fortified (1 Kings 9:15)....
Megid'do (12 Occurrences)
Megid'do.Megiddo, Megid'do. Megiddon .... Megid'do (12 Occurrences). Joshua
12:21 the king of Taanach, one; the king ofMegiddo, one; (See RSV)....
Taanach (7 Occurrences)
... A sandy place, an ancient royal city of the Canaanites, on the south-western
border of the plain of Esdraelon, 4 miles south ofMegiddo....
Ta'anach (6 Occurrences)
... Taanach, Ta'anach. Ta'a-nach . Multi-Version Concordance Ta'anach (6 Occurrences).
Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach, one; the king ofMegiddo, one; (See RSV...
Shean (5 Occurrences)
... of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants
of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants ofMegiddo and its towns....
Shan (8 Occurrences)
... of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants
of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants ofMegiddo and its towns....
Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants
of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants ofMegiddo and her towns...
Hadadrimmon (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (composed of the names of two Syrian idols), the
name of a place in the valley ofMegiddo. It is alluded...
Hadad-rimmon (1 Occurrence)
... mon . Easton's Bible Dictionary (composed of the names of two Syrian idols),
the name of a place in the valley ofMegiddo. It is...
Resources
What is the battle of Armageddon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jezreel? | GotQuestions.orgIs faith in God religulous? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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