Original Word: חֻלְדָּה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Chuldah
Pronunciation: khool-DAW
Phonetic Spelling: (khool-daw')
KJV: Huldah
NASB: Huldah
Word Origin: [feminine of H2467 (חוֹלֶד - mole)]

1. Chuldah, an Israelitess

Huldah

Feminine of choled; Chuldah, an Israelitess -- Huldah.

see HEBREW choled

Word Origin
fem. of choled
Definition
an Isr. prophetess
NASB Translation
Huldah (2).

חֻלְדָּה proper name, feminine prophetess, Josiah's time, 2 Kings 22:14 2Chronicles 34:22, ᵐ5 Ολδα.

Identity and Place in Scripture

Huldah appears twice in the Old Testament record (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22). She is introduced as “the prophetess Huldah, wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe” and is located “in Jerusalem in the Second District” (2 Kings 22:14). Her presence alongside prophetic figures such as Jeremiah and Zephaniah situates her within one of Judah’s most turbulent spiritual climates, the reign of King Josiah (circa 640–609 BC).

Historical Setting

Josiah’s eighteenth–year reforms followed decades of idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. When the Book of the Law was rediscovered in the Temple, the king sought an authoritative divine interpretation (2 Kings 22:8-13). Huldah was chosen for consultation even though Jeremiah was active at the time, underscoring her recognized prophetic authority in Jerusalem.

Family and Residence

Shallum, Huldah’s husband, served as “keeper of the wardrobe,” likely referring to the Temple vestments. Their home in the Second District (mishneh) suggests residence within the newer, perhaps educated quarter of Jerusalem, placing her in proximity to leaders and scribes.

Prophetic Role and Message

Huldah delivered a twofold oracle:

1. Judgment was inevitable because Judah had “forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods” (2 Kings 22:17).
2. Mercy would delay that judgment during Josiah’s lifetime because his heart was tender and he humbled himself (2 Kings 22:19-20).

Her prophecy directly motivated the sweeping reforms in 2 Kings 23 and 2 Chronicles 34:29-33, including covenant renewal, the removal of idolatry, and reinstatement of Passover.

Theological Significance

• Divine Sovereignty: Huldah’s words affirmed the certainty of judgment announced in Deuteronomy 28 while displaying God’s willingness to respond to genuine repentance.
• Prophetic Authenticity: The king, priests, and court submitted to her message without hesitation, illustrating that prophetic authority derived from the reliability of the Word revealed, not from social rank or gender.
• Covenant Centrality: By verifying the Book of the Law, Huldah reinforced the continuity between Mosaic revelation and later prophetic enforcement.

Relation to Other Scriptures

• Deuteronomy 29:24-28 foretells covenant curses that Huldah declares imminent.
• Jeremiah 3 parallels her indictment of Judah’s idolatry.
• 2 Kings 23:25 celebrates Josiah’s unparalleled devotion, a result traced back to Huldah’s counsel.

Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition

Jewish tradition places Huldah among the seven biblical prophetesses (Megillah 14a). Early Christian commentators, such as Jerome, highlighted her as evidence of God raising women for crucial ministries. Her example continues to encourage the church to heed the prophetic word, irrespective of the messenger’s status.

Practical Lessons

1. Scripture must interpret life; leaders seek true guidance when they submit to God’s revealed Word.
2. Genuine humility invites divine compassion even amid inevitable judgment.
3. Faithful proclamation may catalyze national and personal reform far beyond the prophet’s immediate sphere.

Summary

Huldah stands as a trusted voice of Yahweh at a pivotal moment in Judah’s history. Though mentioned only twice, her decisive confirmation of the rediscovered Law sparked one of the most extensive renewals recorded in Scripture, demonstrating the enduring power of God’s word spoken through faithful servants.

חֻלְדָּ֨ה חלדה chulDah ḥul·dāh ḥuldāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts