King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:22 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:22 in the King James Version says “And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath , the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. Hasrah: or, Harhas, 2.kings.22.14. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the college: or, in the school, or, in the second part”

2 Chronicles 34:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, Abdon: or, Achbor

21

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

22

And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath , the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. Hasrah: or, Harhas, 2.kings.22.14. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the college: or, in the school, or, in the second part

23

And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,

24

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:

Read 2 Chronicles 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's Word driving comprehensive spiritual renewal. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ1 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

חִלְקִיָּ֜הוּ2 of 22

“And Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ4 of 22

“and they that the king”

H4428

a king

אֶל5 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֻלְדָּ֨ה6 of 22

“to Huldah”

H2468

chuldah, an israelitess

הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה7 of 22

“the prophetess”

H5031

a prophetess or (generally) inspired woman; by implication, a poetess; by association a prophet's wife

אֵ֣שֶׁת׀8 of 22

“the wife”

H802

a woman

שַׁלֻּ֣ם9 of 22

“of Shallum”

H7967

shallum, the name of fourteen israelites

בֶּן10 of 22

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תָּוקְהַ֗ת11 of 22

“of Tikvath”

H8616

tikvah, the name of two israelites

בֶּן12 of 22

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חַסְרָה֙13 of 22

“of Hasrah”

H2641

chasrah, an israelite

שׁוֹמֵ֣ר14 of 22

“keeper”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַבְּגָדִ֔ים15 of 22

“of the wardrobe”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְהִ֛יא16 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יוֹשֶׁ֥בֶת17 of 22

“now she dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם18 of 22

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בַּמִּשְׁנֶ֑ה19 of 22

“in the college”

H4932

properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc

וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ20 of 22

“and they spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֖יהָ21 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּזֹֽאת׃22 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 34:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 34:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 15:20Luke 2:36Acts 21:92 Kings 22:14Luke 1:41-45Judges 4:4

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Second QuarterDistrict · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E4 verses across 4 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 34 →

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