Lexical Summary Chuldah: Huldah Original Word: חֻלְדָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Huldah Feminine of choled; Chuldah, an Israelitess -- Huldah. see HEBREW choled NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of choled Definition an Isr. prophetess NASB Translation Huldah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֻלְדָּה proper name, feminine prophetess, Josiah's time, 2 Kings 22:14 2Chronicles 34:22, ᵐ5 Ολδα. Topical Lexicon 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). 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. Relation to Other Scriptures • Deuteronomy 29:24-28 foretells covenant curses that Huldah declares imminent. 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. 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. Forms and Transliterations חֻלְדָּ֨ה חלדה chulDah ḥul·dāh ḥuldāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 22:14 HEB: וַעֲשָׂיָ֗ה אֶל־ חֻלְדָּ֨ה הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה אֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ NAS: went to Huldah the prophetess, KJV: went unto Huldah the prophetess, INT: and Asaiah to Huldah the prophetess the wife 2 Chronicles 34:22 2 Occurrences |