2 Kings 22:15

KJV

And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, Tell {H559} the man {H376} that sent {H7971} you to me,

Complete Jewish Bible

She told them, "ADONAI the God of Isra'el says to tell the man who sent you to me

Berean Standard Bible

And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you

American Standard Version

And she said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Tell ye the man that sent you unto me,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 22:15 initiates the divine oracle delivered by Huldah the prophetess to King Josiah's delegation, marking a pivotal moment of direct divine communication in response to Josiah's profound repentance and distress following the discovery of the Book of the Law. This verse establishes the authoritative nature of Huldah's message, underscoring that her words are not her own, but a direct declaration from the LORD God of Israel, setting the stage for a message of both judgment and grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Josiah's deep distress and act of tearing his clothes upon hearing the words of the newly discovered Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy), which revealed the nation's profound deviation from God's covenant commands. In response to his contrite heart, Josiah sent a high-level delegation—including Hilkiah the high priest, Shaphan the scribe, Ahikam, Achbor, and Asaiah—to "inquire of the LORD" concerning the implications of the Law for Judah and its people. Their journey to Huldah the prophetess, as described in [2 Kings 22:14](/2_kings/22-14 "2 Kings 22:14 - Josiah's Delegation to Huldah"), sets the scene for this divine pronouncement. The message that follows in [2 Kings 22:16-20](/2_kings/22-16 "2 Kings 22:16-20 - Huldah's Prophecy to Josiah") is a direct consequence of this inquiry, affirming the impending judgment on Judah due to its idolatry but also offering a personal reprieve to Josiah because of his humility and repentance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned over Judah from 640-609 BCE, a period marked by significant religious and political shifts. Following decades of idolatry under his predecessors Manasseh and Amon, Josiah initiated a sweeping religious reform, striving to purge Judah of pagan worship and restore the worship of Yahweh. The discovery of the Book of the Law during Temple repairs (see [2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")) was a catalyst for this reform, providing a clear blueprint for covenant faithfulness. The consultation of a prophetess like Huldah, rather than prominent male prophets like Jeremiah or Zephaniah (who were active at the time), highlights the diverse ways God communicated with His people. While a patriarchal society, the Bible consistently records instances of women serving in prophetic roles (e.g., Miriam in [Exodus 15:20](/exodus/15-20 "Exodus 15:20 - Miriam the Prophetess") and Deborah in [Judges 4:4](/judges/4-4 "Judges 4:4 - Deborah the Prophetess")), indicating that God's choice of messenger transcended societal norms. Huldah's accessibility within Jerusalem and her recognized spiritual authority likely contributed to her selection by the royal delegation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Revelation**, as the phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" is a classic prophetic formula, unequivocally declaring that the words are not Huldah's own but a direct, authoritative message from God. This underscores the divine origin and infallible nature of the message that follows. Secondly, it speaks to **Prophetic Authority**, demonstrating that God chooses His messengers based on His sovereign will, not human criteria. Huldah, a woman in a male-dominated religious landscape, is recognized and respected as a legitimate conduit for God's word, highlighting God's impartiality in selecting those through whom He speaks. Lastly, the verse showcases **God's Responsiveness** to sincere repentance. Josiah's profound humility and earnest inquiry prompt an immediate and direct divine answer, illustrating God's attentiveness to those who seek Him with a contrite heart, particularly in distress over sin and a desire for righteousness, as seen in [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thus saith (Hebrew, כֹּה אָמַר, _koh amar'_):** This is the quintessential prophetic formula used over 400 times in the Old Testament to introduce a divine oracle. It signifies that the message is not merely human opinion or wisdom, but a direct, authoritative word from God Himself. Its use here immediately elevates Huldah's words to the status of an unchallengeable divine decree, removing any doubt about the origin or veracity of the prophecy she is about to deliver. It functions as a declaration of divine authorship.
* **LORD God of Israel (Hebrew, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _Yahweh Elohei Yisrael'_):** This full divine title emphasizes God's covenant relationship with Israel. "Yahweh" (LORD, in all caps in KJV) is God's personal, covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. "Elohei Yisrael" (God of Israel) specifically identifies Him as the unique God who chose Israel, delivered them from bondage, and entered into a covenant with them. The combination underscores His sovereignty, His unique relationship with His people, and the binding nature of His word for them.
* **Tell the man (Hebrew, אִמְרוּ לָאִישׁ, _imru la'ish'_):** While seemingly straightforward, this phrase carries a nuance of directness and authority. "The man" refers to King Josiah, who sent the delegation. The use of "the man" rather than "the king" might subtly underscore God's perspective, where even a king is simply a human being accountable to the divine word. It also emphasizes the personal nature of the message to Josiah, even though it is delivered through intermediaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said unto them,"**: This opening clause establishes Huldah as the speaker and the delegation as the recipients. It signifies the commencement of her direct response to their inquiry, setting the stage for the divine message. It highlights her role as a recognized and respected prophetess, whose words are eagerly awaited by the king's representatives.
* **"Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,"**: This is the core declaration, the prophetic formula that immediately identifies the source and authority of the message. It is not Huldah's personal opinion or counsel, but a direct, verbatim message from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This phrase demands immediate attention and reverence, as it signals the very voice of God speaking through His chosen messenger.
* **"Tell the man that sent you to me,"**: This directive specifies the ultimate recipient of the message: King Josiah. The phrase "the man that sent you to me" personally addresses Josiah through his representatives, underscoring that God has heard his inquiry and is now providing a direct, personal answer to his heart's distress and repentance. It confirms that the delegation's mission has been successful in eliciting a divine response.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula** ("Thus saith the LORD God of Israel"), which immediately establishes the divine authority and inerrancy of Huldah's subsequent words. This formula is a hallmark of Old Testament prophecy, signaling that the speaker is merely a mouthpiece for God. The use of **Direct Address** ("Tell the man that sent you to me") creates a sense of immediacy and personal engagement, even though the message is relayed through intermediaries. This directness underscores God's personal attention to Josiah's contrite heart. There is also an element of **Synecdoche** in "the man," where "the man" (Josiah) stands in for the entire royal and national inquiry, focusing the divine response directly on the individual whose repentance initiated the inquiry. This device emphasizes the personal nature of God's response to Josiah's humility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 22:15 serves as a powerful testament to God's active engagement in human affairs and His responsiveness to sincere repentance. It highlights the enduring principle that God speaks through chosen vessels, and that His word carries ultimate authority. The immediate divine response to Josiah's distress over the discovered Law underscores the importance of God's revealed word as the standard for life and the catalyst for spiritual awakening. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of God's justice and mercy: while the nation faced impending judgment for its long-standing unfaithfulness, individual repentance, as exemplified by Josiah, could elicit personal grace and protection from the immediate outpouring of divine wrath. This dynamic tension between corporate judgment and individual grace is a recurring motif throughout biblical narrative.

* [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God Puts His Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")
* [James 4:8](/james/4-8 "James 4:8 - Draw Near to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as Josiah sought an authoritative word from God in a time of national and personal crisis, we are called to prioritize seeking God's will and truth, especially when confronted with our own spiritual failings or the brokenness of the world around us. The immediate and clear response from God through Huldah reminds us that God is not distant but is attentive to the cries of a humble and repentant heart. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of listening and obedience to God's voice, which is primarily found in His inspired Word, the Bible. Moreover, Huldah's role reminds us that God uses diverse individuals, regardless of societal status or gender, to communicate His truth. This calls us to discern the divine origin of a message rather than focusing solely on the messenger's outward appearance or conventional standing, fostering humility and readiness to hear God's truth from unexpected sources. Our ultimate focus should always be on the "Thus saith the LORD."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Josiah's immediate and earnest response to the discovery of God's Law challenge my own posture toward God's Word today?**
* **In what ways do I seek God's authoritative voice in my life, particularly when facing distress or uncertainty?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater openness to hearing God's truth, even if it comes from unexpected sources or challenges my preconceived notions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Josiah's delegation go to Huldah, a prophetess, instead of more prominent prophets like Jeremiah or Zephaniah, who were also active at the time?**

Answer: While the Bible does not explicitly state the reason, several factors likely contributed to the delegation's choice of Huldah. Firstly, she resided in Jerusalem, specifically in the "Second Quarter" (or Mishneh), which suggests her accessibility and perhaps a recognized position within the royal or religious establishment. Jeremiah, though active, may have been outside Jerusalem or not as readily available. Secondly, Huldah's reputation as a legitimate and authoritative voice of God was clearly established, as evidenced by the king's delegation seeking her out and accepting her prophecy without question. Her status as a prophetess, like Deborah before her, indicates that God chose to speak through women in prophetic roles, and their authority was recognized. It's also possible that her specific prophetic gift or area of expertise was deemed most appropriate for the king's urgent inquiry regarding the newly discovered Law and its implications for the nation's covenant standing. Ultimately, God sovereignly chooses His messengers, and Huldah was His chosen instrument for this pivotal moment in Judah's history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Kings 22:15, with its declaration "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine revelation found in Jesus Christ. Huldah, as a prophetess, served as a temporary and partial mouthpiece for God's word, delivering a message that brought both judgment and grace. Her role points forward to Jesus, who is not merely a messenger but the very **Word of God incarnate** (see [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). While Huldah spoke *for* God, Christ *is* God, embodying the fullness of divine truth and authority. His teachings are introduced not with "Thus saith the LORD," but with "Truly, truly, I say to you," signifying His inherent, non-delegated authority (e.g., [Matthew 5:22](/matthew/5-22 "Matthew 5:22 - Jesus' Authority on Anger")). Josiah's profound repentance upon hearing the Law, and his seeking of God's word through Huldah, prefigures the human need for repentance in light of God's ultimate revelation in Christ. The judgment pronounced through Huldah, though delayed for Josiah, points to the ultimate judgment for sin, from which salvation is found only through faith in the atoning work of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Christ is the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King, fulfilling all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant, and through Him, we receive not just a word *from* God, but God Himself, offering eternal life and reconciliation (see [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken by His Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 23:28

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

2 Kings 1:16

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

2 Kings 1:6

And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.