Topical Encyclopedia
Huldah is a significant yet often overlooked prophetess in the Hebrew Bible, specifically mentioned in the context of the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Her account is primarily found in
2 Kings 22:14-20 and
2 Chronicles 34:22-28. Huldah's role as a prophetess highlights the presence and influence of women in the spiritual and religious life of ancient Israel.
Historical ContextHuldah lived during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by idolatry and apostasy. King Josiah, who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC, initiated a series of religious reforms aimed at restoring the worship of Yahweh. During the eighteenth year of his reign, the Book of the Law was discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah the high priest. This discovery prompted Josiah to seek divine guidance regarding the contents of the book and the impending judgment on Judah.
Role and Prophetic MinistryHuldah was the wife of Shallum, the keeper of the wardrobe, and resided in Jerusalem. Her prophetic ministry is notable for its direct impact on the religious reforms of King Josiah. When the king's officials, including Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah, sought her counsel, Huldah delivered a message from the Lord concerning the fate of Judah and the king's response to the rediscovered Law.
In
2 Kings 22:15-17 , Huldah proclaims: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me that this is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, they have provoked Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched."
However, Huldah also delivers a personal message to King Josiah, acknowledging his humility and repentance. In
2 Kings 22:18-20 , she conveys God's promise to Josiah: "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its people, and because you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am going to bring upon this place."
SignificanceHuldah's prophecy affirmed the authenticity and authority of the Book of the Law, reinforcing the need for Josiah's reforms. Her role as a prophetess underscores the importance of female voices in the biblical narrative and God's willingness to use women as His messengers. Huldah's message also highlights the themes of judgment and mercy, demonstrating God's responsiveness to genuine repentance and humility.
LegacyHuldah's influence extended beyond her immediate prophetic message. Her words catalyzed a national religious revival under Josiah, leading to the purging of idolatry and the restoration of covenantal worship practices. Her account serves as a testament to the power of prophetic ministry and the enduring impact of faithful obedience to God's word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
How Amon Reigned Instead of Manasseh; and after Amon Reigned ...
... certain [other] of his most particular friends, and sent them to Huldah the prophetess ...
not having repented in so long a time, while the prophets had exhorted ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how amon reigned.htm
Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... Of Jeremiah, then, I will now speak, as a specimen of all those Prophets whom St. ...
Huldah's message to the king, on his finding the Book of the Law in the temple ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm
Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... To one of these prophets the priests applied. Shallum was keeper of the king's
wardrobe"his wife Huldah was known to be gifted with the spirit of prophecy. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm
Jerusalem
... except the sepulchres of the house of David, and the sepulchre of Huldah the prophetess;
which were there from the days of the former prophets: nor in it do ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm
The Captivity.
... he rend his clothes, weep aloud, and send to the prophetess Huldah, to ask ... Jehoiakim
was idolatrous, cruel, and violent; he persecuted the prophets, and did ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm
The Book of the Law
... powerful influences set in operation by the messages of the prophets regarding the ...
At that time the prophetess Huldah was living in Jerusalem, near the temple. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm
Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... of feeling for veracity in ancient Judah that Hilkiah, Jeremiah, and Huldah could
arrange ... Even if the greater prophets can be brought down to the very latest ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm
On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... and Samoeah in Jerusalem, and Zedekiah and Achiah the false prophets in Babylon. ...
Aaron, [3582] and after her Deborah, [3583] and after these Huldah [3584] and ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm
Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... Such names as that of Huldah the prophetess, and the idyllic narrative of the ... Again,
in the language of the prophets the people of God are called "the daughter ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm
The Two Boy Kings.
... The Lord sent them prophets to remind them of Him, but they were often driven away ...
Lord what He would have them to do, and they went to Huldah, the prophetess. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the two boy.htm
Resources
What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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