Megiddo

Megiddo was a stronghold of singular significance in the history of Israel. Located on the on the north-facing brow of the Mount Carmel range at the south-western end of the Jezreel Valley, it guarded access to the only plain that provided easy movement between the coastal route and the inlands. Whoever controlled Megiddo essentially controlled the land of Palestine. As a result many decisive battles had been fought there, from Thutmosis III against the Hittites in 1468 BC to Lord Allenby against the Ottomans in 1917.

Excavations at Megiddo have uncovered some thirty stratas of occupations dating back to the 3rd Mil BC. Though conquered by Joshua (Jos 12:21) and assigned to the tribe of Manasseh (17:11). The tribe, however, failed to occupy it afterwards (Judg 1:27). Solomon retook it and fortified it, together with Hazor and Gezer (1 Ki 9:15). Two Judean kings would later die there. Ahaziah, king of Judah, was shot by Jehu's men while visiting Joram king of Israel. He escaped to Megiddo where he died of his wounds (2 Ki 9:27). More significantly was Josiah, who in an attempt to stop Pharaoh Neco from going to the aid of the crumbling Assyrians, confronted the Egyptians at Megiddo. Though told by the Pharaoh that his fight was not with him, Josiah raised battle disguised but was shot by a stray arrow (2 Chron 35:20-23). His death was mourned with great national bitterness, and plant the seed for Judah's slide into national disaster and eventual exile.

One of the ancient city gate at Megiddo.

It is generally believed that the name Armageddon, the location of the final apocalyptic battle envisaged in Rev 16:13, is the Greek from of Hebrew har megiddo, "the hill of Megiddo."