Josiah Finds the Law

The words

1. Achbor

   Achbor, son of Michaiah, joins the delegation that Josiah sends to Huldah after hearing the book read aloud.

   2 Kings 22:10–14 (opens a new tab)

2. Ahikam

   Ahikam, Shaphan’s son, joins the delegation to Huldah; Jeremiah later credits him with protecting the prophet from being put to death.

   2 Kings 22:12–14 (opens a new tab) · Jeremiah 26:24 (opens a new tab)

3. Book

   A scroll, in the NET Bible.

   Hilkiah finds the book of the law in the temple; Shaphan reads it to Josiah, who tears his clothes on hearing it.

   Did you know?

   Second Chronicles also describes the find, calling it a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.

   2 Kings 22:8–11 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 22:8 (opens a new tab) · 2 Chronicles 34:14 (opens a new tab)

4. Grove

   Asherah pole, in the NET Bible.

   Josiah takes the grove from the temple to the brook Kidron, burns it and reduces it to powder.

   2 Kings 23:6 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 23:6 (opens a new tab)

5. Hilkiah

   Hilkiah, the high priest, tells Shaphan he has found the law book in the temple and hands it over for reading.

   2 Kings 22:8 (opens a new tab)

6. Huldah

   Huldah warns that disaster will strike the place and its inhabitants, but says Josiah’s humbled response has been heard.

   2 Kings 22:15–19 (opens a new tab)

7. Idolatrous

   Josiah removes the idolatrous priests appointed by Judah’s kings to burn incense, including those serving Baal and the heavenly bodies.

   2 Kings 23:5 (opens a new tab)

8. Josiah

   Josiah renews the covenant after hearing the law; the chapter also reports him killing priests at the high places in Samaria.

   2 Kings 23:2–3 (opens a new tab) · 2 Kings 23:19–20 (opens a new tab)

9. Kidron

   Josiah burns temple vessels made for Baal, the grove and heavenly bodies in Kidron’s fields, then carries their ashes to Bethel.

   2 Kings 23:4 (opens a new tab)

10. Molech

    The passage names Molech in describing the child sacrifice at Topheth that Josiah acts to stop.

    2 Kings 23:10 (opens a new tab) · Jeremiah 7:31 (opens a new tab)

11. Money

    Josiah directs temple funds to overseers and craftsmen for repairs, including purchases of timber and prepared stone.

    Did you know?

    Kings says the workers were not required to account for the money entrusted to them, because they dealt faithfully.

    2 Kings 22:3–7 (opens a new tab)

12. Shaphan

    Shaphan reports on the repair funds, then reads Hilkiah’s discovered book to Josiah; the king responds by tearing his clothes.

    2 Kings 22:9–11 (opens a new tab)

13. Tender

    Sensitive in spirit, in the NET Bible.

    Huldah’s reply calls Josiah’s heart tender, recalling his torn clothes and tears when he heard the warning.

    2 Kings 22:19 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 22:19 (opens a new tab)

14. Topheth

    Kings says Josiah defiles Topheth in Hinnom’s valley to stop child sacrifice; Jeremiah describes children being burned there.

    2 Kings 23:10 (opens a new tab) · Jeremiah 7:31 (opens a new tab)

15. Wizards

    Magicians, in the NET Bible.

    Josiah removes wizards and workers with familiar spirits as part of carrying out the law found by Hilkiah.

    2 Kings 23:24 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 23:24 (opens a new tab)