Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah
The fortress where Pharaoh Necho II killed Judah's reforming king on his way to the Euphrates
Found 1925 — Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago (Clarence Fisher, P. L. O. Guy, Robert Lamon, Gordon Loud), 1925–39; renewed by the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition (Israel Finkelstein, David Ussishkin, Baruch Halpern; later Eric Cline and others) from 1994
Where Tel Megiddo, Jezreel Valley (Israel)
Dates from c. 630–609 BCE · Iron Age IIC · Reign of Yoshiyahu (Josiah); rise of Egypt's 26th Dynasty
Now at In situ at Megiddo National Park; finds in the ISAC Museum (Chicago) and Israel Museum
How Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah was found
Stratum II, a large fortress (Building 338 area) built over the ruined Assyrian city, was exposed by the Chicago expedition. Recent seasons have found Egyptian-style pottery and a possible Egyptian garrison in this level.
What it is
A square fortress about 68 m per side with a massive outer wall, standing alone on the mound in the late 7th century BCE. Its pottery includes Egyptian and East Greek wares of about 609 BCE, suggesting Egyptian or mercenary occupation rather than Judean control.
Why it matters for the Bible
2 Kings 23:29 says Josiah went out to meet Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo and was killed there in 609 BCE, as Necho marched to help Assyria against Babylon. The Babylonian Chronicle confirms the Egyptian march that year. Stratum II is the Megiddo of that moment; the Egyptian presence found there fits Necho's staging of his army at the pass. Whether Josiah fought a battle or was executed at a summons is debated, since 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles tell it differently.
The Hebrew word: me-gee-DOH
מְגִדּוֹ
מְגִדּוֹ is pronounced me-gee-DOH and means Megiddo (source of the name Armageddon, 'Har-Megiddo') (Strong's H4023).
People this discovery connects to
- Josiah — יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yoh-shee-YAH-hoo) — YHVH supports
- Necho — נְכֹה (ne-CHOH) — Egyptian Nekau
Places
- Megiddo — מְגִדּוֹ (me-gee-DOH) — place of troops (traditional)
Events
Death of Josiah at Megiddo (609 BCE) · Necho's march to Carchemish
Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah in Scripture
1 Kings 13:2 First mention of Josiah in Scripture.
2 Kings 23:29-30 Necho kills Josiah at Megiddo; his servants carry his body to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 35:22-24 The Chronicler's fuller account of the battle in the plain of Megiddo.
Questions people ask
What is Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah?
A square fortress about 68 m per side with a massive outer wall, standing alone on the mound in the late 7th century BCE. Its pottery includes Egyptian and East Greek wares of about 609 BCE, suggesting Egyptian or mercenary occupation rather than Judean control.
When was Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah discovered?
It was found in 1925 by Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago (Clarence Fisher, P. L. O. Guy, Robert Lamon, Gordon Loud), 1925–39; renewed by the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition (Israel Finkelstein, David Ussishkin, Baruch Halpern; later Eric Cline and others) from 1994, at Tel Megiddo, Jezreel Valley.
Where is Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah today?
In situ at Megiddo National Park; finds in the ISAC Museum (Chicago) and Israel Museum.
Which Bible verses does Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah relate to?
1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:22-24.
Is Megiddo Stratum II and the Death of Josiah authentic?
The site and date are secure; who held the Stratum II fortress (Judah, Egypt or Assyria) and the nature of Josiah's death are debated.
Related discoveries
- פַּרְעֹה נְכֹהMegiddo Area X: Necho's Army and the Death of JosiahA layer of Egyptian and Greek pottery from the time Pharaoh Necho killed King Yoshiyahu (2025)
- מְגִדּוֹMegiddo Shoshenq Stele FragmentA piece of Pharaoh Shishak's monument found in the city his list names
- עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְSeal of Shema, Servant of JeroboamA roaring lion and the name of a royal official of Jeroboam II, from Megiddo
- מִזְבֵּחַMegiddo Round Altar and Early Bronze TemplesA stepped stone altar and a row of temples in Canaan's oldest sacred area
- אֻרְוֹתMegiddo Pillared StablesRows of stone-pillared buildings for hundreds of horses in Israel's chariot city
- שֵׁןMegiddo IvoriesA Canaanite king's treasure showing the world Israel entered
Sources
- Finkelstein, Ussishkin & Halpern (eds.), Megiddo III–VI (Tel Aviv University)
- Lamon & Shipton, Megiddo I: Seasons of 1925–34, Strata I–V (1939)
- Wikipedia, 'Tel Megiddo'
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