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Contemporary English Version

2 Chronicles 35:22

But Josiah ignored Neco's warning, even though it came from God! Instead, he disguised himself and marched into battle against Neco in the valley near Megiddo.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Egyptians;   Josiah;   Megiddo;   Necho;   Pharaoh;   Rashness;   Self-Will;   Thompson Chain Reference - Disguises;   Prudence-Rashness;   Rashness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Self-Will and Stubbornness;   Valleys;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hadadrimmon;   Jezreel;   Necho or Pharaoh-Necho;   Pharaoh;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jehoiakim;   Josiah;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Apocrypha;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Esdraelon;   Hadad-Rimmon;   Josiah;   Megiddo;   Necho Ii;   Pharaoh;   Valley;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Alliances;   Babel;   Fly;   Jeremiah;   Lamentations;   Megiddo;   Pharaoh;   Plains;   Psalms;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Carchemish;   Esdraelon;   Megiddo;   Megiddon, Valley of;   Necho;   Neco;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Megiddo;   Plain;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Har-Magedon;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Egypt;   Hadadrimmon ;   Jezreel ;   Josiah ;   Megiddo, Megiddon ;   Zechariah, Prophecy of;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Armageddon;   Hadad-rimmon;   Megiddo;   Pharaoh;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Megid'do;   Ne'cho;   Pha'raoh,;   Vale, Valley;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Adadrimmon;   Champaign;   Egypt;   Esdraelon, Plain of;   Esdras, the First Book of;   Har-Magedon;   Neco;   Pharaoh-Necoh;   Vale;   Zechariah, Book of;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Battle system of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Asa;   Esdraelon (Esrelon);   Megiddo;   Palestine;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But Josiah did not turn away from him; instead, in order to fight with him he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to the Valley of Megiddo to fight.
Hebrew Names Version
Nevertheless Yoshiyahu would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn't listen to the words of Nekho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo.
New Century Version
But Josiah did not go away. He wore different clothes so no one would know who he was. Refusing to listen to what Neco said at God's command, Josiah went to fight on the plain of Megiddo.
New English Translation
But Josiah did not turn back from him; he disguised himself for battle. He did not take seriously the words of Necho which he had received from God; he went to fight him in the Plain of Megiddo.
Amplified Bible
Yet Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight against him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight against him on the plain of Megiddo.
New American Standard Bible
However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight against him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but he came to wage war on the plain of Megiddo.
World English Bible
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn't listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But Iosiah would not turne his face from him, but changed his apparel to fight with him, and hearkened not vnto the wordes of Necho, which were of the mouth of God, but came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Legacy Standard Bible
However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to make war with him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to make war on the plain of Megiddo.
Berean Standard Bible
Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco's words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.
Complete Jewish Bible
Nevertheless, Yoshiyahu was determined to go after him. He disguised himself in order to fight against him and wouldn't listen to what N'kho said, which was from the mouth of God. Then he went to fight in the Megiddo Valley.
Darby Translation
But Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight against him; and he hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of God; and he came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Easy-to-Read Version
But Josiah did not go away. He put on different clothes to hide who he was and went to fight the battle. Josiah refused to listen to the warning Neco had received from God and went to fight on the plain of Megiddo.
George Lamsa Translation
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him; for he had gone to fight with him. And he did not listen to the words of Pharaoh the lame; for Josiah did not know that it was from the LORD, so he went forth to fight against him in the plain of Megiddo.
Good News Translation
But Josiah was determined to fight. He refused to listen to what God was saying through King Neco, so he disguised himself and went into battle on the plain of Megiddo.
Lexham English Bible
But Josiah did not turn his face from him, but he disguised himself to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and he went out to fight in the plain of Megiddo.
Literal Translation
Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself to fight against him, and did not listen to the words of Necho from the mouth of God; and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Neuertheles Iosias turned not his face from him, but prepared himselfe to fighte with him, and herkened not vnto the wordes of Necho out of the mouth of God, & came to fighte wt him vpon the playne besyde Mageddo.
American Standard Version
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 Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Bible in Basic English
However, Josiah would not go back; but keeping to his purpose of fighting against him, and giving no attention to the words of Neco, which came from God, he went forward to the fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Neuerthelesse Iosia would not turne his face from him, but rather toke aduise to fight with hym, and hearkened not vnto the wordes of Necho out of the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Mageddo.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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 Neco, from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
King James Version (1611)
Neuerthelesse Iosiah would not turne his face from him, but disguised himselfe that he might fight with him, and hearkened not vnto the wordes of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
However, Josias turned not his face from him, but strengthened himself to fight against him, and hearkened not to the words of Nechao by the mouth of God, and he came to fight in the plain of Mageddo.
English Revised Version
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 Neco, from the month of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Josie nolde turne ayen, but made redi batel ayens hym; and he assentide not to the wordis of Nechao, bi Goddis mouth, but he yede for to fiyte in the feeld of Magedo.
Update Bible Version
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn't listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself that he might fight with him, and hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
New King James Version
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself so that he might fight with him, and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.
New Living Translation
But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo.
New Life Bible
But Josiah would not turn away from him. He made himself to look like someone else, so he could fight against him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to make war on the Plain of Megiddo.
New Revised Standard
But Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but joined battle in the plain of Megiddo.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Howbeit Josiah turned not his face from him, for, to fight against him, he had disguised himself, and he hearkened not unto the words of Neco, from the mouth of God, - so he came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Josias would not return, but prepared to fight against him, and hearkened not to the words of Nechao from the mouth of God, but went to fight in the field of Mageddo.
Revised Standard Version
Nevertheless Josi'ah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but joined battle in the plain of Megid'do.
Young's Literal Translation
And Josiah hath not turned round his face from him, but to fight against him hath disguised himself, and hath not hearkened unto the words of Necho, from the mouth of God, and cometh in to fight in the valley of Megiddo;
THE MESSAGE
But Josiah was spoiling for a fight and wouldn't listen to a thing Neco said (in actuality it was God who said it). Though King Josiah disguised himself when they met on the plain of Megiddo, archers shot him anyway. The king said to his servants, "Get me out of here—I'm badly wounded."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to make war with him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to make war on the plain of Megiddo.

Contextual Overview

20 Some time later, King Neco of Egypt led his army to the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River. And Josiah led his troops north to meet the Egyptians in battle. 21 Neco sent the following message to Josiah: I'm not attacking you, king of Judah! We're not even at war. But God has told me to quickly attack my enemy. God is on my side, so if you try to stop me, he will punish you. 22 But Josiah ignored Neco's warning, even though it came from God! Instead, he disguised himself and marched into battle against Neco in the valley near Megiddo. 23 During the battle an Egyptian soldier shot Josiah with an arrow. Josiah told his servants, "Get me out of here! I've been hit." 24 They carried Josiah out of his chariot, then put him in the other chariot he had there and took him back to Jerusalem, where he soon died. He was buried beside his ancestors, and everyone in Judah and Jerusalem mourned his death. 25 Jeremiah the prophet wrote a funeral song in honor of Josiah. And since then, anyone in Judah who mourns the death of Josiah sings that song. It is included in the collection of funeral songs. 26 Everything else Josiah did while he was king, including how he faithfully obeyed the Lord , 27 is written in The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Nevertheless: Josiah's conduct in this affair has been treated with great severity; and he has been charged with engaging rashly in an unjust war, and disregarding the express command of God. But Scripture no where condemns him; and Pharaoh, in marching through Josiah's territories, against his will, certainly committed an act of hostility. It is evident that Josiah was in possession of the whole land of Israel - 2 Chronicles 26:6, and probably he held the northern parts of it as a grant from the king of Babylon; and was not only in alliance with him, but bound to guard his frontiers against hostile invaders. He may, therefore, be fairly justified from the charge of unjustly meddling in a war that did not belong him. It is true the ambassadors assured Josiah, that "God had commanded Pharaoh to make haste;" and he is therefore said not to have "hearkened to the words of Necho, from the mouth of God." But Necho produced no proof that he was a prophet of Jehovah; and the word he employed, elohim, may denote gods or idols; and critics have noticed that the expression, "from the mouth of God," is not used when the true God is meant.

but disguised: 2 Chronicles 18:29, 1 Kings 14:2, 1 Kings 22:30, 1 Kings 22:34

the mouth: 2 Chronicles 35:21, 2 Chronicles 18:4-6, Joshua 9:14

Megiddo: Judges 5:19, 2 Kings 9:27, 2 Kings 23:30, Zechariah 12:11, Megiddon, Revelation 16:16, Armageddon

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:11 - Megiddo 1 Kings 9:15 - Megiddo 1 Kings 22:12 - Go up 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Megiddo 2 Chronicles 36:12 - the mouth

Cross-References

Genesis 35:1
God told Jacob, "Return to Bethel, where I appeared to you when you were running from your brother Esau. Make your home there and build an altar for me."
Genesis 35:2
Jacob said to his family and to everyone else who was traveling with him: Get rid of your foreign gods! Then make yourselves acceptable to worship God and put on clean clothes.
Genesis 35:3
Afterwards, we'll go to Bethel. I will build an altar there for God, who answered my prayers when I was in trouble and who has always been at my side.
Genesis 35:4
So everyone gave Jacob their idols and their earrings, and he buried them under the oak tree near Shechem.
Genesis 35:5
While Jacob and his family were traveling through Canaan, God terrified the people in the towns so much that no one dared bother them.
Genesis 35:8
While they were there, Rebekah's personal servant Deborah died. They buried her under an oak tree and called it "Weeping Oak."
Genesis 35:12
I will give you the land that I promised Abraham and Isaac, and it will belong to your family forever.
Genesis 35:14
Jacob set up a large rock, so that he would remember what had happened there. Then he poured wine and olive oil on the rock to show that it was dedicated to God,
Genesis 35:15
and he named the place Bethel.
Genesis 35:16
Jacob and his family had left Bethel and were still a long way from Ephrath, when the time came for Rachel's baby to be born.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Nevertheless, Josiah would not turn his face from him,.... Or withdraw his forces, and go back:

but disguised himself that he might fight with him; without being personally known, and aimed at, see 1 Kings 22:30

and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God: not believing that what he said came from the Lord, though it might; and his infirmity was, that he did not inquire of the Lord about it:

and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo; which was in the tribe of Manasseh, thought to be the Magdolum of Herodotus, where he says Necho fought the battle z; 1 Kings 22:30- :.

z Gale in Herodot. ut supra. (Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Galei not. in ib.)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Disguised himself - Compare the marginal reference. But most modern critics are dissatisfied with this sense in this place, and prefer to render “equipped himself;” or - with the Septuagint - adopt another reading, and render “took courage.”

The words of Necho from the mouth of God - The author apparently regarded Necho’s words as actually prophetic - a warning to which Josiah ought to have listened - sent him by God to make him pause - though not spoken by divine inspiration, or in consequence of any supernatural revelation of the divine will to the Egyptian king. Compare the “prophecy” of Caiaphas, John 11:51.


 
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