Jezreel valley (northern Israel) · both · 11 verses
Megiddo was a fortified city guarding a pass on the edge of the Jezreel valley. It commanded an important route through the land. The name appears in Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings and 3 more in the King James text.
About Megiddo
Megiddo was a fortified city guarding a pass on the edge of the Jezreel valley. It commanded an important route through the land.
Its place in the story
Megiddo was among the cities Solomon fortified, and it was the scene of important battles, including the death of King Josiah in conflict with Pharaoh Necho. Its strategic plain saw many armies through the ages.
Megiddo in Scripture (KJV)
“The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;”
“And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.”
“Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.”
“Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:”
“And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.”
“But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.”
“In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.”
Megiddo is named 11 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.
Where it leads
Megiddo lends its name in the book of Revelation to the gathering place of the last battle, drawing the old battleground into the hope of Christ's final victory.
Megiddo was a fortified city guarding a pass on the edge of the Jezreel valley. It commanded an important route through the land. The name appears in Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings and 3 more in the King James text.
What happened at Megiddo?
Megiddo was among the cities Solomon fortified, and it was the scene of important battles, including the death of King Josiah in conflict with Pharaoh Necho. Its strategic plain saw many armies through the ages.