열왕기하 23:29-30과 역대하 35:20-27에 나타난 요시야의 죽음 보도에 대한 언어적, 고고학적 고찰

Abstract

Most recent studies of 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 have focused on Josiah’s religious reform in connection with the discovery of the book of the law and Josiah’s restoration of temple services. Although many of the insights from these studies are indispensable to understanding Josiah’s achievements, little consideration has been relatively paid to the reading of Josiah’s death in 2 Kings 23:29-30 and 2 Chronicles 35:20-27. Therefore, I would like to first argue that the final text of 2 Kings 23:29-30 itself contains both possibilities. The situation described in 2 Kings 23:29-30 can be a battle or a meeting. The author of Chronicles reports Necho’s negotiation and the death of Josiah specifically. Although 2 Kings 23:29b reveals that Josiah went to meet with Necho, Necho meticulously eliminates Josiah to achieve his political purpose.BR The report of Josiah’s death described in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 introduces a much more detailed view of Necho’s international situation than in Kings 23:29-30. This can be deduced from the phrase ‘my house of war’. It is likely that ‘my house of war’ is Riblah, which is strategically located to station Egyptian troops and to dominate the region beyond the river. The author of Chronicles uses the words of Necho theologically to justify Josiah’s sudden death according to the theory of personal retribution. Because Josiah did not listen to Necho’s words that came out of God’s mouth, he died as the result. Josiah tried to stop Necho, but it was beyond his ability to change the great course of history at a time when the international situation was rapidly changing. Necho rules the area across the river instead of Assyria for a certain period.