Topical Bible: Law: Found by Hilkiah in the House of the Lord

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The discovery of the Book of the Law by Hilkiah the high priest is a pivotal event in the history of Judah, as recorded in the Old Testament. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34, during the reign of King Josiah, a monarch noted for his commitment to religious reform and the restoration of true worship in Judah.

Historical Context

King Josiah ascended to the throne of Judah at the tender age of eight, following the assassination of his father, King Amon. Josiah's reign is marked by a significant religious revival, as he sought to purge the land of idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh. This period of reform is set against the backdrop of a nation that had long been steeped in pagan practices, largely due to the influence of previous kings who had forsaken the covenant with God.

The Discovery

The account of the discovery is detailed in 2 Kings 22:8-10 : "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. And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, 'Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the house and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.' 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."

The "Book of the Law" is generally understood to be a form of the Torah, possibly the Book of Deuteronomy or a collection of Mosaic laws. Its discovery in the temple, which had fallen into disrepair and neglect, signifies a moment of divine intervention and a call to return to covenantal faithfulness.

Josiah's Response

Upon hearing the words of the Law, King Josiah was deeply moved and tore his clothes, a traditional expression of mourning and repentance. 2 Kings 22:11 states, "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes." This act underscores the king's recognition of the nation's deviation from God's commandments and his personal commitment to lead a national reformation.

Josiah's response was immediate and decisive. He sent a delegation to inquire of the LORD through the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed that the curses written in the book would indeed come upon Judah due to their disobedience. However, because of Josiah's humility and genuine repentance, God promised that the impending disaster would not occur during his lifetime (2 Kings 22:18-20).

Religious Reforms

The discovery of the Book of the Law catalyzed a series of religious reforms under Josiah's leadership. He renewed the covenant in the presence of the people, pledging to follow the LORD and keep His commandments with all his heart and soul (2 Kings 23:3). Josiah's reforms included the removal of idolatrous practices, the destruction of high places, and the reinstitution of the Passover, which had not been observed in such a manner since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:21-23).

Theological Significance

The finding of the Book of the Law highlights the centrality of Scripture in guiding the spiritual and moral direction of God's people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to divine revelation and the consequences of neglecting God's Word. The event underscores the role of leaders in upholding and promoting the teachings of Scripture, as well as the transformative power of God's Word when it is rediscovered and applied.

In summary, the discovery of the Book of the Law by Hilkiah in the temple was a momentous event that led to a national revival under King Josiah. It illustrates the enduring significance of Scripture in the life of God's people and the necessity of returning to the foundational truths of the faith.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 22:8
And 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, and he read it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... 'And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord,
Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.15. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
... 'And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book
of the law in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the rediscovered law and its.htm

The Book of the Law
... Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in
the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord." Verses 20 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

Prayer and the House of God
... And then, Josiah thought of God, and commanded Hilkiah, the priest ... Such neglect of
the Word of the Law was too ... the words of the book that is found; for great is ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiv prayer and the house.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... (Margin, RV) And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan, I have found The Book of
the law of the house of the Lord." Four times within seven verses it is called ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written
in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord," 2 Kings ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... they suppose God, by a perpetual law, restrains all ... Old Testament, which are either
not found there at all ... days, unto the mountain of the Lord's house, the seat ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... hand for his own personal use a transcript of the law of Moses ... being carefully laid
up in the inner sanctuary, where Hilkiah, the high priest, found it in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... was of priestly descent (1:1); but that Hilkiah, his father, was identical with
the high priest who found in the temple the book of the law (2 Kings ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... of Amon, Isaiah of Amos, Jeremiah of Hilkiah and Ezekiel ... who did not seek Me, I was
found by those ... the Savior Himself was always proclaiming "The law and the ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm