Huldah חֻלְדָּה
A prophetess during the reign of King Josiah.
Who is Huldah in the Bible?
Huldah was a prophetess living in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC), as recorded in 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22. When the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law during temple repairs, King Josiah's officials consulted her to authenticate the scroll and understand its significance. Huldah confirmed the genuineness of the text and prophesied that God would judge Jerusalem and Judah for their disobedience to God's commandments. Her prominence in Jerusalem is evident from the fact that the king himself sought her counsel, demonstrating that she was a recognized and respected spiritual authority in her time. Huldah represents one of the few female prophets named in the Old Testament whose words were trusted by royalty and officials.
Biography
Huldah was a prophetess who lived in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC). She is mentioned in 2Ki.22.14 and 2Ch.34.22 in connection with the discovery of the Book of the Law during the repair and restoration of the temple.
When the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law, King Josiah sent a delegation, including Hilkiah and the royal secretary Shaphan, to consult Huldah regarding the authenticity and significance of the discovered scroll. This indicates that Huldah was a recognized and respected prophetess in Jerusalem at the time.
Huldah's prophetic message confirmed the genuineness of the Book of the Law and the consequences of Judah's disobedience to God's commandments. She declared that God would bring judgment upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants for their idolatry and unfaithfulness. However, she also conveyed a message of mercy for King Josiah, stating that because of his repentance and humility, he would not witness the calamity that would befall Judah (2Ki.22.15-20; 2Ch.34.23-28).
Huldah's role as a prophetess during this crucial time in Judah's history highlights the importance of prophetic ministry and the significance of the rediscovery of the Book of the Law in sparking religious reform under King Josiah. Her message of judgment and mercy reflects the central themes of the prophetic books in the Bible, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Kings 1 verse
- 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."
2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 34:22
"So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חֻלְדָּה |
Huldah
em (location unknown). Cheyne says it should read, "She was sitting in the upper part of the gate of the Old City," i.e. in a public central place ready to receive any who wished to inquire of Yahweh. He gives no reason for such a change of text. The standing and reputation of Huldah in the city are attested by the fact that she was consulted when the Book of the Law was discovered. The king, high priest, counselors, etc., appealed to her rather than to Jeremiah, and her word was accepted by all as the word of Yahweh (2Ki 22:14-20; 2Ch 34:22-29).
J. J. Reeve
See SACRIFICE, HUMAN.
hu-mil-i-a'-shun (Ac 8:33; Php 2:8).
See <ref targ