Neo-Egyptian Period

The Neo-Egyptian Period goes from 609 BCE to 605 BCE.

< Kings : Josiah -- Johoahaz -- Jehoiakim >

Overview

609 BCE

Josiah was defeated and killed in the Battle of Megiddo by the army of Pharaoh Neco, who was going north in the attempt to help the Assyrians agains the Babylonians. Judah fell under Egyptian control (2 Kings 23:26-30).

Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, ruled only 3 months, before being taken captive to Egypt, where he died (2 Kings 23:31-33,34b).

609-605 BCE

Eliakim, Jehoahaz's brother (2 Kings 23:35-24:7), was appointed as a vassal king by the Egyptians, who changed his name to Jehoiakim. The leaders of the nationalistic party (Jeremiah and Uriah) were persecuted.

605 BCE

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, defeated the Egyptians in the Battle of Charchemish. This meant the end of the Egyptian control of the region. Judah was now under Balylonian rule and Jehoiakim became a Babylonian vassal ("his servant for three years," 2 Kings 24:1).