Megiddo, Megiddon

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City and valley on the borders of Issachar and Manasseh. It was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 12:2121The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; (Joshua 12:21)). Later it is mentioned among the cities from which Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants; “the Canaanites would dwell in that land” (Josh. 17:1111And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean 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. (Joshua 17:11); Judg. 1:2727Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean 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. (Judges 1:27)). The rout of Sisera’s army was in this district; and at Megiddo Josiah fell when he rashly attacked Pharaoh-nechoh (Judg. 5:1919The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. (Judges 5:19); 1 Kings 4:1212Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam: (1 Kings 4:12); 1 Kings 9:1515And 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. (1 Kings 9:15); 2 Kings 9:2727But 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. (2 Kings 9:27); 2 Kings 23:29-3029In his days Pharaoh-nechoh 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. 30And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead. (2 Kings 23:29‑30); 1 Chron. 7:2929And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth-shean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel. (1 Chronicles 7:29); 2 Chron. 35:2222Nevertheless 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. (2 Chronicles 35:22); Zech. 12:1111In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Zechariah 12:11)). See ARMAGEDDON. The city is identified by some with el Lejjun, 32° 35' N, 35° 10' E, but others prefer the ruins at el Mujedda, 32° 28' N, 35° 27' E. The valley is otherwise known as “the valley of Jezreel.” The WATERS of MEGIDDO probably refer to the copious springs found in that district.