2 Chronicles 34 22

2 Chronicles 34:22 kjv

And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

2 Chronicles 34:22 nkjv

So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that effect.

2 Chronicles 34:22 niv

Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

2 Chronicles 34:22 esv

So Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter) and spoke to her to that effect.

2 Chronicles 34:22 nlt

So Hilkiah and the other men went to the New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple wardrobe.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 22 Meaning

Second Chronicles 34:22 describes King Josiah's officials, led by the high priest Hilkiah, embarking on a vital mission to seek divine counsel. Following the rediscovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, King Josiah was deeply distressed by its pronouncements and desired to know the Lord's will for Judah. Therefore, this verse records their specific destination: Huldah, a prophetess, who was also identified by her husband, Shallum, and his role as keeper of the royal wardrobe, highlighting her social context and accessibility. The purpose of their visit was explicit: to consult her concerning the recently found Law and its implications.

2 Chronicles 34 22 Context

Chapter 34 of 2 Chronicles details the significant reign of King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous kings. At the tender age of eight, Josiah became king (v. 1), and by his twelfth year, he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, destroying altars and images (v. 3-7). In his eighteenth year, he embarked on the repair and restoration of the house of the Lord (v. 8). It was during these repairs that the high priest Hilkiah discovered "the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses" (v. 14). Upon hearing its contents, specifically the warnings and curses for national disobedience, King Josiah was overwhelmed with conviction and humility, tearing his clothes as a sign of repentance and distress (v. 19). Recognizing the severity of the nation's spiritual condition in light of the rediscovered Law, Josiah immediately commissioned a delegation, led by Hilkiah, to "inquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found" (v. 21). Verse 22 directly follows this commission, specifying Huldah as the chosen prophetess to provide this divine answer. Historically, Judah had strayed significantly into idolatry during previous reigns (Manasseh, Amon), making Josiah's reforms and the rediscovery of the Law a pivotal moment for national repentance and covenant renewal. The inquiry was crucial to understand God's current disposition towards His people given their historical transgressions against the very Law they had rediscovered.

2 Chronicles 34 22 Word analysis

• So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed:
  • Hilkiah: (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Chilqiyahu) meaning "my portion is Yahweh." He was the high priest, holding the most senior religious office. His role here is central; he found the Book and leads the delegation, indicating the spiritual seriousness of the mission.
  • those the king had appointed: This refers to other key officials of Josiah's court: Ahikam (son of Shaphan, a scribe), Abdon (or Achbor in 2 Ki), Shaphan (the royal scribe), and Asaiah (the king's servant) (v. 20). This highlights the formal, official, and weighty nature of their quest.
• went to Huldah the prophetess:
  • went to: This indicates a deliberate seeking out of divine guidance from a specific individual. It wasn't an accidental encounter but a purposeful pilgrimage.
  • Huldah: (חֻלְדָּה, Huldah) a relatively uncommon name, meaning "weasel" or "mole." Despite the seemingly unusual meaning of her name, her prophetic office superseded any literal interpretation. She is one of the few women specifically called "prophetess" in the Old Testament, along with Miriam and Deborah.
  • the prophetess: (נְבִיאָה, nevi'ah). This title is of utmost importance. It signifies she was an authentic recipient and conveyer of God's inspired word, an intermediary between God and His people. This confirms God's use of women in significant spiritual leadership roles during the covenant era, especially in a time of national crisis when seeking direct divine counsel was paramount. Her status affirmed her authority to speak for the Lord.
• the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe:
  • the wife of Shallum: (שַׁלּוּם, Shallum) meaning "recompense." Identifying her through her husband's lineage was customary for women in ancient Hebrew society, but it does not diminish her individual prophetic authority.
  • son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah: (תֹּקְהַת, Toqehath, likely Tikvah; חַסְרָה, Hasrah, likely Harhas). This detailed lineage for Shallum gives precision to his identity, further authenticating the record and establishing the familial and social standing of Huldah's household.
  • keeper of the wardrobe: This title describes Shallum's official position. The "wardrobe" likely refers to the royal or possibly the priestly/temple garments. This was a position of trust and responsibility within the royal administration, implying that Shallum and, by extension, Huldah, were well-situated and accessible within the political-religious center of Jerusalem. His position near the court would also mean Huldah might have been easily reached by the royal delegation without delay.
• and they spoke to her about this:
  • spoke to her about this: The phrase "about this" refers directly to the central issue: the recently discovered Book of the Law, the distress of the king, and the question of God's will regarding the nation's past disobedience and impending judgment as pronounced in the Law. This highlights the urgency and the weight of their consultation, making Huldah's subsequent oracle (2 Chr 34:23-28) incredibly significant.

2 Chronicles 34 22 Bonus section

The choice of Huldah by Josiah's officials is notable. While Jeremiah and Zephaniah were contemporary prophets active during Josiah's reign, the text indicates Huldah was chosen for this specific, urgent inquiry concerning the Law. Scholars speculate this could be due to her proximity to Jerusalem's Temple/royal precincts (implied by her husband's position), her established reputation, or possibly that she was viewed as particularly gifted for discerning and declaring God's judgment and grace regarding the written Law. Her oracle, which confirms the authenticity of the Law's curses but promises peace and extended grace to Josiah personally due to his humility and repentance, demonstrates her genuine prophetic authority. This account implicitly validates that prophetic authority flowed through individuals, regardless of gender, so long as they were appointed by God to speak His Word. Her obscurity elsewhere in scripture only highlights that God uses whomever He chooses for His purposes, often elevating those who are faithful to His call, rather than necessarily the most widely known.

2 Chronicles 34 22 Commentary

Second Chronicles 34:22 is a concise but profoundly significant verse that spotlights the chosen vehicle for divine revelation during a crucial moment in Judah's history. When King Josiah was confronted with the rediscovered Book of the Law and the terrifying implications of the nation's covenant disobedience, he did not hesitate to seek the Lord's authoritative word. Rather than approaching any of the contemporary prophets like Jeremiah or Zephaniah (who were likely younger or less accessible for this specific purpose at this time), the high priest Hilkiah and the royal delegation sought out Huldah, the prophetess. Her selection underscores that God's Spirit bestows prophetic gifts independent of gender, and women served vital roles in mediating God's will to the leadership of Israel. The detailed identification of her husband and his royal office (keeper of the wardrobe) grounds Huldah's public spiritual role within her established social context, indicating her reputable standing and ready accessibility within Jerusalem's societal fabric. Their specific query was not general advice but a focused plea for divine insight regarding the rediscovered Law and the covenant's consequences, illustrating the urgent need for a direct and authoritative word from God in a time of national crisis and genuine repentance. The event emphasizes the centrality of God's Word and the office of a true prophet in guiding a nation toward covenant fidelity.