Hilkiah: Name of Two Levites
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1. Hilkiah the High Priest

Hilkiah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, served as the High Priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Hilkiah is best known for his pivotal role in the religious reforms initiated by King Josiah, which were aimed at purifying the worship practices of Judah and restoring adherence to the Mosaic Law.

The most significant event associated with Hilkiah is the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple of the LORD. According to 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 Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it." This discovery led to a national religious revival, as King Josiah, upon hearing the words of the Law, tore his clothes in repentance and initiated a covenant renewal ceremony (2 Kings 23:1-3).

Hilkiah's role in this spiritual awakening underscores his faithfulness and dedication to the LORD. He was instrumental in the removal of idolatrous practices and the restoration of proper worship, as detailed in 2 Kings 23. His actions contributed significantly to one of the most profound religious reforms in the history of Judah.

2. Hilkiah the Ancestor of Ezra

Another Levite named Hilkiah is mentioned in the genealogical records of Ezra, the scribe and priest who played a crucial role in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community. This Hilkiah is identified as an ancestor of Ezra in the book of Ezra 7:1 : "After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah..."

While this Hilkiah does not have a detailed narrative like the High Priest Hilkiah, his inclusion in the genealogy of Ezra highlights the continuity of the priestly line and the importance of maintaining a faithful lineage dedicated to the service of the LORD. Ezra's lineage, tracing back to Hilkiah, underscores the enduring legacy of the Levitical priesthood and its role in guiding the spiritual life of the Israelite community.

In summary, the name Hilkiah is associated with two Levites who played significant roles in the religious history of Israel. The first Hilkiah, as High Priest, was instrumental in the religious reforms of King Josiah, while the second Hilkiah is noted as an ancestor of Ezra, linking him to the post-exilic restoration efforts. Both figures exemplify the enduring commitment to the covenant and the spiritual leadership of the Levitical priesthood.
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1 Chronicles 6:45
The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
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1 Chronicles 26:11
Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
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Library

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
... and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah ... has been too often
forgotten by two kinds of ... of such pleasures without calling on the name of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/reading the law with tears.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... 2. In the name applied to the Pentateuch""the book ... as simply the public annals of
the two kingdoms written ... up in the inner sanctuary, where Hilkiah, the high ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Book of the Law
... And two put ten thousand to flight,. ... of the law which were written in the book that
Hilkiah the priest ... be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... Judges, the Book of Ruth, and the two books of ... The name of Moses is mentioned only
six times in ... Hilkiah, the high priest, who was rummaging among the rubbish ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Prayer and the House of God
... to the Divine pattern or change the name of its ... then, Josiah thought of God, and
commanded Hilkiah, the priest ... study-chair, he will have to spend two upon his ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiv prayer and the house.htm

Deuteronomy
... By two simple ceremonies, one of thanksgiving, the other a ... the book then discovered
by the priest Hilkiah, and read ... all your tribes to put His name there," xii ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... in all essential respects, the book which Hilkiah found in ... of usage in respect to
the divine name, some passages ... word Jehovah, or a combination of the two terms ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... by (John 10:25.) the works which he did in his father's name, and (John 5:36 ... and
assistance towards the right understanding of it: An instance or two will make ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Resources
Who was King Josiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Huldah the prophetess in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Amon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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