Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Kings 22:15

Next

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

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,

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

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

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

Commentary

2 Kings 22:15 (KJV) marks the beginning of the prophetic message delivered by Huldah the prophetess to King Josiah's delegation. This pivotal verse sets the stage for God's direct response to Josiah's distress and repentance after the discovery of the Book of the Law.

Context

During the reign of King Josiah of Judah, significant repairs were being made to the Temple in Jerusalem. It was during these renovations that Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law (likely a copy of Deuteronomy). Upon hearing its words read, Josiah was deeply troubled by the nation's failure to obey God's commands, demonstrating profound humility and a contrite heart. In response, he sent a delegation, including Hilkiah, Shaphan the scribe, and others, to inquire of the LORD. They sought divine guidance from Huldah, a prophetess residing in Jerusalem, rather than the more prominent prophets of the time like Jeremiah or Zephaniah, perhaps due to her accessibility or recognized spiritual authority within the royal court.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" is a classic prophetic formula (Hebrew: Ko amar Yahweh), emphasizing that Huldah's words are not her own opinion but a direct, authoritative message from God. This underscores the divine origin of the message that follows.
  • Prophetic Authority: Huldah, despite being a woman in a patriarchal society, is recognized and respected as a legitimate voice for God, highlighting that God chooses whomever He wills to deliver His word, regardless of gender or social standing.
  • God's Responsiveness: This verse initiates God's direct answer to Josiah's earnest inquiry, demonstrating God's attentiveness to those who seek Him with a sincere heart, particularly in repentance and distress over sin.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel," is a powerful declaration found throughout the Old Testament. The Hebrew Ko amar Yahweh Elohei Yisrael literally means "So says Yahweh, God of Israel." This specific phrasing immediately establishes the message as a divine oracle, carrying the full weight and authority of the covenant God of Israel. It removes any doubt that the words spoken are human in origin; they are God's own declaration to His people.

Practical Application

2 Kings 22:15 reminds us of the importance of seeking God's will and word, especially when confronted with our spiritual failings or societal brokenness. Just as Josiah sought an authoritative word from God through Huldah, we are called to listen to and obey God's voice, which is primarily found in His inspired Scripture. The verse also affirms that God uses diverse individuals to communicate His truth, challenging us to recognize and respect His messengers wherever they may be found, and to discern the divine origin of a message rather than focusing solely on the messenger's outward appearance or status. It encourages a posture of humility and readiness to hear and act upon God's truth.

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

  • Jeremiah 23:28 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.