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2 Chronicles 34:22

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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].

And Hilkiah {H2518}, and they that the king {H4428} had appointed, went {H3212} to Huldah {H2468} the prophetess {H5031}, the wife {H802} of Shallum {H7967} the son {H1121} of Tikvath {H8616}{H8445}, the son {H1121} of Hasrah {H2641}, keeper {H8104} of the wardrobe {H899};(now she dwelt {H3427} in Jerusalem {H3389} in the college {H4932}:) and they spake {H1696} to her to that effect.

So Hilkiyahu and those the king had ordered went to Huldah the prophet, the wife of Shalum the son of Tok'hat, the son of Hasrat, keeper of the wardrobe - she lived in the Second Quarter of Yerushalayim - and spoke with her about this.

So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.

So Hilkiah, and they whom the kinghad commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they spake to her to that effect.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 34:22

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of King Josiah's reign, occurring after the momentous discovery of the Book of the Law (likely a portion of Deuteronomy) during repairs of the Temple. King Josiah, a righteous king who began his reign at a young age, was deeply convicted by the words of this rediscovered Law, recognizing the severe implications for Judah's long-standing disobedience. His immediate response was to humble himself and seek divine counsel regarding the nation's spiritual state. Hilkiah, the high priest who found the book, along with other royal officials, were dispatched to inquire of the Lord.

The decision to consult Huldah the prophetess, rather than Jeremiah or Zephaniah (who were also active prophets at the time), highlights her recognized spiritual authority and wisdom. The urgency of the situation, spurred by Josiah's conviction, underscores the gravity of the nation's spiritual crisis.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Seeking Divine Counsel: The verse demonstrates the importance of seeking God's direct word when faced with profound spiritual or national crises. Josiah's humility in seeking a prophetic word is commendable, setting an example for all who desire to align with God's will.
  • God's Use of Diverse Channels: Huldah, a woman, is consulted by the highest religious and civil authorities of the land. This powerfully illustrates that God uses whomever He chooses to deliver His message, regardless of gender or social standing. Her dwelling "in the college" (or "second quarter" of Jerusalem) indicates she was a known and respected figure.
  • The Authority of God's Word: The discovery of the Law ignited a national spiritual awakening. The officials' visit to Huldah was to ascertain the full implications of that Word for Judah, demonstrating their reverence for divine revelation and their commitment to understanding and obeying God's commands.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in the college" (Hebrew: ba-mishneh) refers to the "second quarter" or "second part" of Jerusalem. This suggests a specific district within the city, possibly a newer or distinct area, rather than an academic institution as the English word "college" might imply today. It signifies her established residence within a recognized part of the city, lending credibility to her accessibility and standing within the community.

Related Scriptures

This event is also recorded in 2 Kings 22:14, providing a parallel account of Huldah's consultation. For more on Josiah's immediate reaction to the newly discovered Law, see 2 Chronicles 34:19. Huldah's role as a prophetess echoes other significant women of faith in the Bible, such as Deborah the prophetess, who also provided crucial leadership and divine guidance.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 34:22 serves as a timeless reminder that when we are confronted with the truth of God's Word, especially regarding areas of sin or disobedience, our first response should be humility and a sincere desire to understand and obey. Like Josiah, we should actively seek divine wisdom and guidance, whether through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, or seeking counsel from trusted spiritual leaders. Furthermore, it highlights God's sovereignty in choosing His messengers; He is not limited by human expectations or societal norms, but uses faithful individuals to speak His truth to His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 15:20 (3 votes)

    And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

  • Acts 21:9 (2 votes)

    And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

  • Luke 1:41 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

  • Luke 1:45 (2 votes)

    And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

  • Judges 4:4 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

  • Luke 2:36 (2 votes)

    And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

  • 2 Kings 22:14 (2 votes)

    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.