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2 Chronicles 34:22 meaning

Huldah receives the king’s men in Jerusalem’s Second Quarter to deliver God’s judgment and counsel, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine guidance.

“So Hilkiah and those whom the king had told went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her regarding this.” (v.22) In this verse from 2 Chronicles 34, we see officials acting on instructions from King Josiah, bringing them to Huldah the prophetess. King Josiah reigned over Judah approximately from 640-609 BC, during a time of religious reforms in which he sought to bring his people back to the worship of the true God. Hilkiah was the high priest responsible for discovering the lost Book of the Law in the temple. By including specific lineage details such as “the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah,” Scripture is anchoring Huldah within a legitimate priestly or Levitical heritage, indicating her credibility among the people.

Huldah’s residence in Jerusalem’s “Second Quarter” underscores the city’s growing development, as Jerusalem during this time was divided into distinct sections. This area is thought to be situated north of the Temple Mount, reflecting the city’s expansion beyond its original boundaries. Although situated in a region less grand than the palace, Huldah’s spiritual authority carried great weight, demonstrating that God’s word and insight could rest in a person of humble surroundings, revealing that earthly status does not dictate the ability to speak or interpret God’s message.

“They spoke to her regarding this.” (v.22) highlights the urgency with which Josiah sought God’s guidance through Huldah’s counsel. He wanted to understand the gravity of the warnings contained in the rediscovered Book of the Law and how to respond to them. Huldah is significant in the biblical timeline because she ministered alongside the well-known prophet Jeremiah (who prophesied roughly between 627-580 BC), illustrating how God often raised multiple voices to proclaim His word in a time of critical national transition and need.

Huldah offered godly counsel and wisdom to the king’s men, confirming the warnings in the law and urging repentance.

2 Chronicles 34:22