Was Huldah a False Prophetess? A Study of the Prophetic Traditions Embedded in Huldah’s Prophecy (2 Kings 22:15-20)

Was Huldah a False Prophetess? A Study of the Prophetic Traditions Embedded in Huldah’s Prophecy (2 Kings 22:15-20)

This study investigates the prophetic traditions embedded in Huldah’s prophecy (2 Kgs 22:15-20), which, together with the discovery of the Book of the Law, ignited Josiah’s cultic reform, to reevaluate the meaning of Huldah’s prophecy. Huldah delivers the prophecy to King Josiah, who has repented before God after reading the Book of the Law discovered in the Temple, “I will gather you to your fathers and you will be laid in your tomb in peace” (2 Kgs 22:20). The term ‘peace’ appears to contradict Josiah’s final moments when he was violently killed by King Necho at Megiddo (2 Kgs 23:29). So, was Huldah’s prophecy unfulfilled and considered a false prophecy? As a royal court prophetess in the palace, Huldah prophesies personally for the king. Her position can be likened to that of Assyrian royal court prophets. Assyrian prophecies primarily served to reinforce the monarchy’s ideology, and any prophecy criticizing or opposing the king was deemed a ‘false prophecy.’ In this respect, Huldah’s prophecy, which communicates ‘peace’ to the king, can be seen as a royal-centered prophecy akin to the Assyrian prophetic tradition. However, Huldah’s prophecy is also deeply rooted in the biblical prophetic tradition, which is fundamentally the God-centered. Huldah does not deliver the prophecies to offer unconditional support to the king, but rather to emphasize that the king’s piety for God will ensure the stability and longevity of the nation he governs. As a royal prophetess, Huldah provided King Josiah with a prophecy of ‘peace.’ The ‘peace’ Josiah experienced was not witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah during his lifetime (2 Kgs 22:20). This implies that the king’s pious conduct postponed Judah’s demise throughout his reign. In this regard, Huldah’s prophecy accentuates the king’s responsibility before God for the nation’s well-being and survival.

This study investigates the prophetic traditions embedded in Huldah’s prophecy (2 Kgs 22:15-20), which, together with the discovery of the Book of the Law, ignited Josiah’s cultic reform, to reevaluate the meaning of Huldah’s prophecy. Huldah delivers the prophecy to King Josiah, who has repented before God after reading the Book of the Law discovered in the Temple, “I will gather you to your fathers and you will be laid in your tomb in peace” (2 Kgs 22:20). The term ‘peace’ appears to contradict Josiah’s final moments when he was violently killed by King Necho at Megiddo (2 Kgs 23:29). So, was Huldah’s prophecy unfulfilled and considered a false prophecy? As a royal court prophetess in the palace, Huldah prophesies personally for the king. Her position can be likened to that of Assyrian royal court prophets. Assyrian prophecies primarily served to reinforce the monarchy’s ideology, and any prophecy criticizing or opposing the king was deemed a ‘false prophecy.’ In this respect, Huldah’s prophecy, which communicates ‘peace’ to the king, can be seen as a royal-centered prophecy akin to the Assyrian prophetic tradition. However, Huldah’s prophecy is also deeply rooted in the biblical prophetic tradition, which is fundamentally the God-centered. Huldah does not deliver the prophecies to offer unconditional support to the king, but rather to emphasize that the king’s piety for God will ensure the stability and longevity of the nation he governs. As a royal prophetess, Huldah provided King Josiah with a prophecy of ‘peace.’ The ‘peace’ Josiah experienced was not witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah during his lifetime (2 Kgs 22:20). This implies that the king’s pious conduct postponed Judah’s demise throughout his reign. In this regard, Huldah’s prophecy accentuates the king’s responsibility before God for the nation’s well-being and survival.