What is the historical significance of Megiddo, Israel?

NEW MEGIDDO-JEZREEL LICENSE

Having reviewed our new license application and revised work plan, Israel’s Energy Ministry officially published our proposed license area boundaries.

WHERE IS JEZREEL? MEGIDDO?

The Jezreel Valley is the large valley in Northern Israel that includes the biblical tribal areas of Manasseh. In that wide, flat valley, there is the ancient town of Megiddo.

This valley has also been called the “Plain of Megiddo” in Zechariah 12:11.

This ancient city has also been mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings of 1478 BC. This strategic location is at the opening of a narrow pass on the ancient great highway connecting Egypt to the south and Assyria to the north.

Through this pass, in 1918, British forces were able to successfully invade and defeat the Ottoman Turks during World War I.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES

Joshua 12:21 – Israelites led by Joshua defeats the king of Megiddo.

Joshua 17:11 – Tribal borders for Asher and Manasseh defined.

Chariot sculpture currently at Tel Megiddo
(Archaeological excavations at Megiddo).

1 Kings 9:15 & 10:26 – One of Solomon’s chariot cities.

II Kings 9:27 – Ahaziah, king of Judah, dies in Megiddo after being wounded on his chariot and escaping to the city.

2 Chronicles 35:22 – King Josiah dies in a battle near Megiddo.

Zechariah 12:11 – Weeping will be great for “the one they have pierced” in Jerusalem. Similar to the weeping in the Plain of Megiddo.

Revelation 16:16 – In the apocalyptic vision, the kings are gathered in the area of “Armageddon”. Har Megiddo in Hebrew meaning, “at the hill of Megiddo”. Traditional location of the “Battle of Armageddon” which precedes God’s final judgment on the earth.

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