In brief
Hilkiah is the high priest in Jerusalem under King Josiah, toward the end of the seventh century BC. During the repairs of the temple, he finds the book of the law in the house of Yahweh and gives it to Shaphan, who reads it to the king. Josiah sends him to consult Yahweh through the prophetess Huldah, then charges him to purify the temple. We remember that a rediscovered Word can bring a whole people back to God.
What does the name Hilkiah mean?
Hilkiah is generally understood as “my portion is Yahweh” or “portion of Yahweh.” The Bible does not explain this name, which is borne by several people, including the father of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1).
The story of Hilkiah
Money to repair the temple
2 Kings 22:3-7In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah sends Shaphan the scribe to Hilkiah the high priest. Hilkiah is to gather the money brought into the house of Yahweh and collected by the doorkeepers. This money will pay the carpenters, builders and masons, and buy timber and stone to repair the house of Yahweh.
I have found the book of the law
2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14-15As the money brought into the house of Yahweh is being taken out, Hilkiah finds the book of the law of Yahweh given through Moses. He tells Shaphan: “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” He gives him the book, and Shaphan reads it.
The king tears his clothes
2 Kings 22:9-13Shaphan reports to the king, then tells him that Hilkiah the priest has given him a book. He reads it before Josiah. Hearing the words of the law, the king tears his clothes. He sends Hilkiah and other servants to inquire of Yahweh, for God's wrath is great against a people who have not obeyed this book.
To the prophetess Huldah
2 Kings 22:14-20Hilkiah and his companions go to the prophetess Huldah in Jerusalem. She announces that the disasters written in the book will come on this place, because the people have forsaken Yahweh. But because Josiah's heart was touched and he humbled himself, he will be gathered to his grave in peace. They bring this answer back to the king.
The temple purified
2 Kings 23:1-4, 24Josiah reads to the people all the words of the book of the covenant and commits to follow Yahweh. He orders Hilkiah, the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah and for all the army of the sky. The whole reform aims to apply the book Hilkiah found.
What Hilkiah teaches us
- The Word of God can be lost from sight even in the very house of God.
- Rediscovering Scripture leads to humility, repentance and renewal.
- A faithful servant passes on the Word he has received instead of keeping it to himself.
- Those who lead God's people must themselves seek his will.
- A true revival shows in concrete obedience to what God has said.
Key verses
“I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” This simple declaration from Hilkiah opens one of the greatest reforms in the history of Judah.
The king sends Hilkiah to inquire of Yahweh, because God's wrath is great against a people whose fathers have not obeyed the words of this book.
Josiah removes the idols and occult practices in order to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found.
Bible verses to meditate on
Frequently asked questions
Why was Hilkiah's discovery so important?
The book of the law found by Hilkiah showed King Josiah how far the people had drifted from God. The king humbled himself, had the book read to the people, renewed the covenant and purged the land of its idols (2 Kings 22 and 23). The rediscovered Word brought about a deep reform.
What does the name Hilkiah mean?
Hilkiah is generally understood as “my portion is Yahweh.” The Bible does not explain this name. Several men bear it, including the father of Jeremiah, presented as one of the priests of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1). The text does not say he was Josiah's high priest.
Where can I find Hilkiah's story in the Bible?
His story is read in 2 Kings 22:3-20 and 2 Kings 23:4 and 24. The parallel account is in 2 Chronicles 34:8-28, which specifies that Hilkiah found the book of the law as the money brought into the house of Yahweh was being taken out.