King of Egypt named in Scripture · Late monarchy, c. 609 BC

Pharaoh Neco in the Bible

Also called Pharaohnechoh, Necho

Marching north to the Euphrates, Neco is intercepted by Josiah at Megiddo and kills him there. He then deposes Jehoahaz, sets Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah and taxes the land, until Babylon breaks Egyptian power at Carchemish.

What Scripture says, and what it leaves open

Identified with Necho II of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty; Babylonian chronicles record the campaigns the biblical account describes.

Geographic context

Where Pharaoh Neco belongs on the map

Open Pharaoh Neco on the interactive mapReal terrain, nearby places, journeys and passages

Key passages

Related people and places

JosiahJeremiahPharaohMegiddoEgyptJerusalem
Read the first mention — 2 Chronicles 35:20Search every form of “Necho”

Verses mentioning Pharaoh Neco

3 occurrences across 3 verses in the King James Version.

  1. 2 Chronicles 35:20

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

    Read in context
  2. 2 Chronicles 35:22

    Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

    Read in context
  3. 2 Chronicles 36:4

    And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

    Read in context