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Archaeological Discovery Potentially Validates Biblical Account of Jesus’ Ancestor
New archaeological evidence unearthed at Tel Megiddo, also known as Armageddon, may substantiate a dramatic Bible story involving an ancestor of Jesus. The Book of Revelation describes Armageddon as the location of the ultimate, apocalyptic battle between good and evil before the world’s end. Biblical texts also identify Tel Megiddo as the site where King Josiah, a forefather of Jesus, was killed by the Egyptian ruler Pharaoh Necho II. Recent excavations have yielded the first archaeological confirmation of Egyptian presence during King Josiah’s reign, lending credence to this ancient narrative.
Evidence of Egyptian Presence at Tel Megiddo
Assaf Kleiman from Ben Gurion University, a co-author of the study detailing these findings, expressed surprise at the discoveries. “Our latest excavations near Megiddo’s administrative area revealed the remains of a substantial structure dating back to the late seventh century BC,” Kleiman stated.
“Within this structure, we unearthed a significant quantity of rudimentary pottery vessels, crafted with straw and imported from Egypt, alongside a limited number of East Greek containers. The emergence of these artifacts was unexpected, as they had not been previously discovered at Megiddo.”
Greek Mercenaries and the Death of King Josiah
Archaeologists suggest that the presence of Greek vessels offers a compelling clue. Dr. Israel Finkelstein, Kleiman’s co-author from the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University, suggests, “Greek pottery is generally interpreted as evidence of Greek mercenaries.”
He elaborated, “Historical accounts from Herodotus and Assyrian King Ashurbanipal indicate that Greeks from Anatolia served as hired soldiers in the Egyptian forces. This scenario could correlate with the biblical narrative of King Josiah of Judah’s death at Megiddo in 609 BC at the hands of Pharaoh Necho.”
King Josiah: Religious Reformer and Ancestor of Jesus
Josiah, revered as the last righteous king of Judah, is portrayed in the Bible as a religious reformer who abolished the worship of deities other than Yahweh. Notably, he is also recorded as a paternal ancestor of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
Biblical texts offer differing accounts of his demise.
Dr. Finkelstein noted, “The Bible describes Josiah’s death at Megiddo in two separate books. The Book of Kings recounts his death during an encounter with Necho at Megiddo, while the Book of Chronicles attributes it to a battle against the Egyptians.”
“Kings is considered a more contemporary record, whereas Chronicles reflects later interpretations. In this context, the fresh evidence of an Egyptian military presence, potentially including Greek mercenaries, at Megiddo in the late seventh century BC, may provide historical context for the event.”
“Furthermore, the Bible in Ezekiel and Jeremiah subtly hints at the involvement of West Anatolians – Lydians – in Josiah’s death.”
Armageddon: From Hebrew Har Megiddo to Apocalyptic Significance
The Hebrew name for the site, Har Megiddo, translates to Mount Megiddo. Its Greek rendering, Harmagedon, evolved into the modern term Armageddon.
Debating the Circumstances of Josiah’s Death
The precise reasons for Josiah’s death at Megiddo remain debated. One theory suggests that Josiah and his army attempted to impede Pharaoh Necho II’s passage to Syria. Another posits that Josiah was summoned as a subordinate ruler and executed for failing to provide sufficient tribute to Egypt.
Some have even proposed that Josiah’s death at this location contributed to its apocalyptic connotations.
New Evidence Supports Egyptian Military Presence
While the recent discoveries do not fully clarify the specifics surrounding Josiah’s death, they do indicate Necho’s military presence at Armageddon during that era.
“Placing the final battle in that location would align with Israel’s historical significance of that area,” suggests Hope Bolinger of Christianity.com.
Publication of Findings
Dr. Kleiman, Dr. Finkelstein, along with their associates Matthew Adams and Alexander Fantalkin, have published their research in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament.