Huldah

Overview

Huldah was a prophetess living in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah, married to Shallum, keeper of the wardrobe. When the Book of the Law was rediscovered during temple repairs and read before Josiah, the king, deeply alarmed by how far Judah had strayed from its commands, sent his high priest Hilkiah and other officials to inquire of the Lord on behalf of himself and the nation. They went directly to Huldah, whose word was received as authoritative confirmation of the scroll's warnings, that God would indeed bring the disaster described upon Jerusalem for its idolatry, but that because Josiah's heart had been tender and he had humbled himself before the Lord, he personally would be gathered to his grave in peace before that judgment fell. Her confirmed prophecy directly launched Josiah's sweeping national reforms, the most thorough removal of idolatry recorded among any king of Judah.