King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 22:14 Mean?

2 Kings 22:14 in the King James Version says “So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Sh...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the: or, in the second part”

2 Kings 22:14 · King James Version

Context

12

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,

13

Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

14

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the: or, in the second part

15

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

16

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

Read 2 Kings 22 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 22: Rediscovery of God's word brings renewal. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 22 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Josiah's Reform Begins) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 22 regarding rediscovery of god's word brings renewal?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 24
H1980

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

חִלְקִיָּ֣הוּ2 of 24

“So Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

הַ֠כֹּהֵן3 of 24

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַֽאֲחִיקָ֨ם4 of 24

“and Ahikam”

H296

achikam, an israelite

וְעַכְבּ֜וֹר5 of 24

“and Achbor”

H5907

akbor, the name of an idumaean and of two israelites

וְשָׁפָ֣ן6 of 24

“and Shaphan”

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

וַֽעֲשָׂיָ֗ה7 of 24

“and Asahiah”

H6222

asajah, the name of three or four israelites

אֶל8 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֻלְדָּ֨ה9 of 24

“unto Huldah”

H2468

chuldah, an israelitess

הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה10 of 24

“the prophetess”

H5031

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

אֵ֣שֶׁת׀11 of 24

“the wife”

H802

a woman

שַׁלֻּ֣ם12 of 24

“of Shallum”

H7967

shallum, the name of fourteen israelites

בֶּן13 of 24

“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

תִּקְוָ֗ה14 of 24

“of Tikvah”

H8616

tikvah, the name of two israelites

בֶּן15 of 24

“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

חַרְחַס֙16 of 24

“of Harhas”

H2745

charchas, an israelite

שֹׁמֵ֣ר17 of 24

“keeper”

H8104

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

הַבְּגָדִ֔ים18 of 24

“of the wardrobe”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְהִ֛יא19 of 24
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

יֹשֶׁ֥בֶת20 of 24

“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

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם21 of 24

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בַּמִּשְׁנֶ֑ה22 of 24

“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

וַֽיְדַבְּר֖וּ23 of 24

“and they communed”

H1696

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

אֵלֶֽיהָ׃24 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 22:14 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 Kings 22:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 4:42 Chronicles 34:22Micah 6:4Nehemiah 7:72Zephaniah 1:102 Kings 10:22

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 Kings 22 →

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