Location
Overview
Megiddo guarded the pass where the great trunk road crossed the Jezreel Valley, making it one of the most fought-over sites in the ancient world. Its name echoes into the last book of the Bible.
Conquest and chariots
Its king was among those defeated by Joshua (Joshua 12:21). Megiddo was assigned to Manasseh and later fortified by Solomon as a chariot city alongside Hazor and Gezer (1 Kings 9:15).
Battles and a king's death
By "the waters of Megiddo" Deborah and Barak's forces overthrew Sisera (Judges 5:19). Centuries later good King Josiah was mortally wounded at Megiddo fighting Pharaoh Necho, and great mourning followed (2 Kings 23:29–30; Zechariah 12:11).
Armageddon
Revelation names "a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Revelation 16:16) — Har-Megiddo, "the mountain of Megiddo" — as the gathering place of the kings of the earth for the final battle, so that this ancient battlefield became a symbol of the end of the age.
Events Here
Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera by the waters of Megiddo
Solomon fortifies Megiddo as a chariot city
King Josiah is killed at Megiddo by Pharaoh Necho
Scripture References
12 versesJoshua2 verses
Joshua 12:21
The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
Joshua 17:11
And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.
Judges2 verses
Judges 1:27
Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Judges 5:19
The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 4:12
Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
1 Kings 9:15
And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
2 Kings3 verses
2 Kings 9:27
But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
2 Kings 23:29
In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
2 Kings 23:30
And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 7:29
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel. towns: Heb. daughters
2 Chronicles1 verse
2 Chronicles 35:22
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.
Revelation1 verse
Revelation 16:16
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Archaeology & History
Tel Megiddo is one of the richest archaeological mounds in Israel, with some twenty-six layers of occupation spanning thousands of years — monumental gates, stables, and a remarkable water system have been excavated. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Megiddo
Where is Megiddo today?
Today, Megiddo corresponds to Tel Megiddo, Israel.
What does the name Megiddo mean?
The name Megiddo means “Place of crowds / assembly”.
What happened at Megiddo in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Megiddo include deborah and barak defeat sisera by the waters of megiddo; solomon fortifies megiddo as a chariot city; king josiah is killed at megiddo by pharaoh necho.
Where is Megiddo first mentioned in the Bible?
Megiddo is first mentioned in Joshua 12:21.
How often is Megiddo mentioned in the Bible?
Megiddo is mentioned in 12 verses across 7 books: Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Revelation.
What is the connection between Megiddo and Armageddon?
"Armageddon" comes from the Hebrew Har-Megiddo, "the mountain (or hill) of Megiddo." Revelation 16:16 names it as the gathering place for the final battle, drawing on Megiddo’s long history as a battlefield.
Why was Megiddo so important?
It guarded a key pass on the international road through the Jezreel Valley, so whoever held Megiddo controlled trade and armies moving through the region — making it a perennial battleground.