Location
Overview
Carchemish guarded a key crossing of the upper Euphrates. The battle fought there in 605 BC was one of the decisive turning points of the ancient world.
The great battle
Jeremiah dates an oracle "against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim" (Jeremiah 46:2).
Egypt humbled
The prophet mocks Egypt's proud advance and crushing defeat: "Egypt riseth up like a flood... Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots... for this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance" (Jeremiah 46:8–10).
The road to exile
It was on the way to this campaign that Josiah had earlier died at Megiddo opposing Necho (2 Chronicles 35:20). Babylon's victory at Carchemish opened the way to the conquest of Judah and the exile.
Events Here
Nebuchadnezzar defeats Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish
Scripture References
3 verses2 Chronicles1 verse
2 Chronicles 35:20
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. temple: Heb. house
Isaiah1 verse
Isaiah 10:9
Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
Jeremiah1 verse
Jeremiah 46:2
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
Archaeology & History
Carchemish lies on the modern Syria-Turkey border at Jerablus, a great mound excavated in the early 20th century (with T. E. Lawrence among the diggers). The 605 BC battle there, in which Nebuchadnezzar shattered Egyptian power, is well attested in the Babylonian Chronicles and reshaped the entire Near East — including the fate of Judah.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Carchemish
Where is Carchemish today?
Today, Carchemish corresponds to Jerablus, Syria (and Karkamış, Turkey).
What happened at Carchemish in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Carchemish include nebuchadnezzar defeats pharaoh necho at carchemish.
Where is Carchemish first mentioned in the Bible?
Carchemish is first mentioned in 2 Chronicles 35:20.
How often is Carchemish mentioned in the Bible?
Carchemish is mentioned in 3 verses across 3 books: 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Jeremiah.
Why was the battle of Carchemish important?
In 605 BC Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon decisively defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt there, establishing Babylonian supremacy and setting the stage for the conquest and exile of Judah.
Where is Carchemish?
On the upper Euphrates at the modern Syria-Turkey border, at the mound of Jerablus.