2 Kings 22 14

2 Kings 22:14 kjv

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

2 Kings 22:14 nkjv

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her.

2 Kings 22:14 niv

Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

2 Kings 22:14 esv

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.

2 Kings 22:14 nlt

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah 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 Kings 22 verses

2 Kings 22 14 Meaning

This verse describes the action of King Josiah's officials—Hilkiah the high priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah—being sent to Huldah, a prophetess, in Jerusalem. Their purpose in visiting Huldah, specified in the preceding verse, was to inquire of the Lord concerning the newly discovered Book of the Law, demonstrating Josiah's immediate and humble response to God's word. Huldah is identified by her husband, Shallum, who served as the keeper of the wardrobe, and her location in the "Second Quarter" of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 22 14 Context

Chapter 22 of 2 Kings initiates with the description of Josiah's righteous reign, marked by his youth (eight years old when he became king) and his commitment to walking in the ways of David. During the repair and restoration of the Temple, Hilkiah the high priest discovers "the Book of the Law." Upon hearing the words of the Law read by Shaphan the scribe, King Josiah is deeply moved, tearing his clothes in humility and repentance, recognizing the past transgressions of his forefathers and the impending wrath of God. He immediately commands his officials, including those named in verse 14, to inquire of the Lord concerning the implications of this discovered book for himself and the nation. This verse directly follows Josiah's command, describing the specific delegation sent to consult with a divinely appointed messenger, setting the stage for Huldah's prophecy which profoundly shapes Josiah's reforms. The historical setting is Judah in the late 7th century BCE, a time following decades of intense idolatry under Manasseh and Amon, when spiritual understanding and practice had largely diminished, making the discovery of the Law and the subsequent divine inquiry pivotal moments.

2 Kings 22 14 Word analysis

• Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥilqiyyahū): Meaning "My portion is Yahweh." He was the High Priest. His discovery of the Book of the Law initiated the chain of events that led to national reform. His presence in the delegation underscores the religious authority seeking divine revelation.
• Ahikam (אֲחִיקָם, ʾĂḥîqām): Meaning "My brother has risen" or "a brother of the King." He was the son of Shaphan, the scribe. His involvement in this critical moment hints at the influence and trustworthiness of Shaphan's family, a fact corroborated by his later role in protecting Jeremiah (Jer 26:24).
• Acbor (עַכְבּוֹר, ʿAkbōr): Meaning "mouse" or "jerboa." He was a court official of King Josiah, sometimes referred to as Abdon in other texts (e.g., 2 Chr 34:20). His inclusion highlights the involvement of key royal functionaries in seeking divine guidance.
• Shaphan (שָׁפָן, Shāfān): Meaning "rock badger" or "hyrax." He was the king's scribe, effectively the secretary of state, who received the discovered Book of the Law from Hilkiah and read it to King Josiah. His immediate involvement in relaying the book's message and subsequently inquiring about it underscores the severity of the crisis and his influential position in the court.
• Asaiah (עֲשָׂיָה, ʿAsayāh): Meaning "Yahweh has made" or "Yahweh has accomplished." Another of the king's servants or officials. His participation signifies the widespread representation from the king's inner circle in this urgent spiritual quest.
• Went to Huldah the prophetess: The act of going (וַיֵּלְכוּ, wayyēlkū, "and they went") emphasizes their direct and obedient response to Josiah's command. The selection of Huldah (חֻלְדָּה, Ḥuldāh), meaning "weasel" or "mole," as the divine intermediary is noteworthy. Despite contemporary male prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah being active, the delegation chose Huldah. This choice underscores God's sovereignty in choosing messengers, irrespective of public prominence, location, or gender. It implicitly serves as a subtle polemic against any notion that only prominent or conventionally expected figures could convey God's definitive word. It highlights God's ability to work through humble or unexpected means.
• The prophetess (נְבִיאָה, nᵊḇîʾāh): The feminine form unequivocally identifies her divinely commissioned role. This validates her authority to speak God's word with certainty. Her recognition in such a critical moment demonstrates that God indeed used women in significant prophetic capacities within Israel's spiritual leadership.
• The wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe: Her identity is presented through her marital status and her husband's specific role. Shallum (שַׁלֻּם, Shallūm), meaning "restitution" or "recompense," held a position possibly connected to the royal court or the temple, responsible for king's or priests' garments. This seemingly mundane detail about her husband and lineage ("Tikvah," meaning "hope"; "Harhas," uncertain meaning) provides concrete historical anchoring and perhaps hints at Huldah's accessibility or a measure of familiarity with her given her husband's proximity to officialdom. It emphasizes her being an ordinary person, albeit divinely chosen.
• And she lived in Jerusalem, in the Second Quarter (בַּמִּשְׁנֶה, bamMišneh): The phrase bamMišneh literally means "in the second" or "in the Mishneh." This topographical detail pinpoints her residence. The "Second Quarter" was likely a newer, expanded district of Jerusalem, possibly indicating its developing areas. This specific geographical location provides a sense of authenticity to the narrative and indicates that even outside the most ancient or prominent parts of the city, God's prophetic voice resided and could be found.
• And they spoke with her: This phrase simply yet powerfully concludes the journey, emphasizing the direct engagement and the crucial next step: receiving God's authoritative response to Josiah's inquiry through Huldah.

2 Kings 22 14 Bonus section

• Significance of a Female Prophet: The choice of Huldah demonstrates that God imparts His Spirit and message without distinction of gender. She provides an authoritative word to the highest authorities in the land, authenticating the newly found Book of the Law and speaking directly concerning the future of the nation. This aligns with a broader biblical theme of God using women in significant leadership and spiritual capacities (e.g., Miriam, Deborah, Anna).
• Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Expectation: The text subtly challenges any expectation that the "main" or most well-known prophet would necessarily be the one chosen for such a crucial moment. This reinforces that God’s plan and chosen vessels transcend human logic or social prominence.
• The Book of the Law: While not explicitly in verse 14, the "Book of the Law" mentioned in preceding verses is widely believed by scholars to be a form of the Deuteronomic law. Its finding was not just a historical discovery but a profound spiritual awakening, causing national repentance and covenant renewal led by Josiah. Huldah's prophecy confirmed its divine authority and revealed its consequences.
• Immediacy of Response: King Josiah's swift action in sending the delegation demonstrates a genuine and immediate desire to align his kingdom with God's revealed will. This exemplifies the correct response to encountering divine truth: seeking full understanding and taking action based on it.

2 Kings 22 14 Commentary

The sending of King Josiah's officials to Huldah represents a pivotal moment in Judah's spiritual history. The king, deeply humbled by the rediscovered Book of the Law, does not hesitate to seek divine clarification and guidance. Their destination, Huldah, highlights that God is not limited in choosing His messengers. In an era when prominent male prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah were active, God deliberately raised a woman, Huldah, to deliver His definitive word to the king and the nation. This choice underscores God's sovereign freedom and willingness to use unexpected or less publicly known individuals, challenging any human assumptions about channels of divine revelation. Huldah's accessible residence in the "Second Quarter" and her identity as the wife of Shallum, a keeper of the wardrobe, further anchors her in the mundane realities of daily life, yet through her, the transcendent word of God was powerfully revealed. This delegation's inquiry ultimately paved the way for Judah's most significant religious reform before the exile, ignited by obedience to a discovered scroll and affirmed by an authentic divine pronouncement.