Huldah
The prophetess the king consulted when the lost book of the law was found.
Old Testament · c. 622 BC · 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles · Also known as Huldah the prophetess
About Huldah
When workmen repairing the temple found "the book of the law," it was read to young King Josiah, who tore his clothes in grief. He sent his officials to "enquire of the LORD," and they went to "Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum... keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;)." Huldah spoke with authority: "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me." Judgment would come on the land for its idolatry, but to Josiah she said, "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD... thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace." Her words set off the greatest reform in Judah’s history.
Huldah was consulted even though Jeremiah and Zephaniah were active at the time. "The college" means the second quarter, a newer district of Jerusalem. Her husband looked after the royal or priestly robes.
The story
The book of the law
Hilkiah the high priest told the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." When it was read to King Josiah, "he rent his clothes." He commanded, "Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found."
2 Kings 22:8-13
Huldah the prophetess
"So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her."
2 Kings 22:14
Tell the man that sent you to me
"And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place... even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods."
2 Kings 22:15-17
Because thine heart was tender
To Josiah himself: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD... I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace." Josiah gathered all the people, read them the book, and "made a covenant before the LORD."
2 Kings 22:18-20; 23:1-3
Key moments
- The book of the law found: In the temple repairs. (2 Kings 22:8)
- Consulted by Josiah’s officials: "In Jerusalem in the college." (2 Kings 22:14)
- Announces judgment: "Because they have forsaken me." (2 Kings 22:16-17)
- Speaks mercy to Josiah: "Because thine heart was tender." (2 Kings 22:19)
- Reform follows: Josiah makes a covenant. (2 Kings 23:3)
Questions about Huldah
In meetBible these answers are given in Huldah’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did they come to you, and not Jeremiah?
Scripture doesn’t say. Jeremiah was young and from Anathoth, outside the city, while I lived in Jerusalem itself, "in the college." Perhaps I was simply the recognised prophet close at hand. What matters is that the king’s highest officials, the high priest among them, came to me, and God spoke through me with full authority: "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel."
What did you tell King Josiah?
Two things. To the nation: "Behold, I will bring evil upon this place... Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods." And to the king: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD... thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."
What was "the college" where you lived?
Not a school. The Hebrew word means "the second," the newer quarter of Jerusalem that grew up as the city expanded to the west. The King James translators rendered it "the college." I lived there with my husband Shallum, "keeper of the wardrobe."
Connected people
- Josiah: King who sought her
- Hilkiah: High priest who came to her
- Jeremiah: Fellow prophet of the time
- Deborah: Fellow prophetess
Read it yourself
Start with 2 Kings 22:8-20.