Archaeology: Carchemish

This city is mentioned only three times in the Bible (2 Chronicles 35:20-24; Isaiah 10:9; Jeremiah 46:2-12), but archaeology reveals that it was in a strategic location, desired by the Hittites, Assyrians and Babylonians.

Carchemish was important in biblical history for one key battle. In 605 B.C, the Babylonians defeated the Assyrian and Egyptian armies there. This destroyed the Assyrians and paved the way for the Babylonians to conquer much of the biblical world, including the kingdom of Judah.

In 586 B.C., the Babylonians stormed Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. Jeremiah 46 and 2 Chronicles 35-36 speak of the prophecies and circumstances leading up to the Battle of Carchemish, and the devastating chain of events that followed.

Kyle Campbell