Hilkiah חִלְקִיָּהוּ
The high priest who discovered the Book of the Law.
Who is Hilkiah in the Bible?
Hilkiah was the high priest of Judah during King Josiah's reign in the late 7th century BC, most famous for discovering the Book of the Law hidden in the temple (2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 34:14). While overseeing temple repairs in Josiah's eighteenth year, Hilkiah found this lost scripture and delivered it to the royal scribe Shaphan, who brought it to the king. The discovery of the Book of the Law profoundly moved Josiah and prompted him to seek guidance from the prophetess Huldah, with Hilkiah among those consulted (2 Kings 22:14). This event sparked a major religious reformation throughout Judah, as Josiah worked to purge the kingdom of idolatry and restore proper worship according to the Law (2 Kings 23:4, 2 Chronicles 34-35). Hilkiah's role in this discovery makes him significant in biblical history as a catalyst for one of Judah's most important spiritual renewals before the exile.
Biography
Hilkiah was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35). He is most notable for his discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, which led to a significant religious reform and renewal in Judah.
In the 18th year of Josiah's reign, Hilkiah was involved in the repair and restoration of the temple. During this process, he found the Book of the Law, which had been lost or neglected for some time (2Ki.22.8, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.34.14). Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the scribe, who then brought it to King Josiah.
Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply troubled and sought to inquire of the Lord. Hilkiah, along with others, was sent to consult with the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed the authenticity of the book and prophesied about the judgment that would come upon Judah for their disobedience (2Ki.22.12-20, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.34.20-28).
Following this, Josiah initiated a comprehensive religious reform, removing idolatry, destroying pagan shrines, and restoring proper worship according to the Law. Hilkiah played a key role in this process, as he was entrusted with the task of cleansing the temple and overseeing the observance of the Passover (2Ki.23.4-24, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.35.1-19).
Hilkiah is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites and priests (1Ch.6.13, 9:11).
Family
In Scripture
6 biblical books ; 3 with study content2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 22:4
"“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people."
- 2 Kings 22:8
"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it."
- 2 Kings 22:10
"Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king."
- 2 Kings 22:12
"and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
- 2 Kings 22:14
"So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:13
"Shallum was the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah was the father of Azariah,"
- 1 Chronicles 9:11
"Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple;"
2 Chronicles 5 verses
- 2 Chronicles 34:9
"So they went to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites who guarded the doors had collected from the people of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the..."
- 2 Chronicles 34:14
"While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses."
- 2 Chronicles 34:15
"And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan."
- 2 Chronicles 34:18
"Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king."
- 2 Chronicles 34:20
"and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
Ezra 1 verse
- Ezra 7:1
"Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,"
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 11:11
"Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God;"
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Jeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 29:3
"The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It stated:"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חִלְקִיָּהוּ | ḥilĕqiyāh | Chilhijah , the name of eight Israelites |