📖 Biblical Definition
Huldah was a prophetess in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah (c. 622 BC), wife of Shallum the keeper of the wardrobe. When Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law during temple repairs, the king’s deputies — including Hilkiah himself, Shaphan the scribe, and Ahikam — were sent specifically to Huldah for prophetic authentication (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28). She confirmed the book as genuine, prophesied coming judgment on Judah for covenant-breaking, but assured Josiah that because his heart was tender and he had humbled himself before the LORD, the judgment would be delayed until after his death: "thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place." The greatest king of Judah’s late period sought confirmation from a woman prophet.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
HULDAH, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in the Old Testament, a prophetess of Jerusalem in the days of Josiah.
📖 Key Scripture
2 Kings 22:14 — "Hilkiah the priest... went unto Huldah the prophetess... now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college."
2 Kings 22:15 — "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me."
2 Kings 22:19 — "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord... I also have heard thee, saith the Lord."
2 Chronicles 34:22 — "Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
A king consulted a woman to authenticate Scripture; modern reformers should be similarly humble.
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2 Kings 22 records a striking moment. The high priest discovers the Book of the Law during temple repairs. The king tears his clothes. He sends for Huldah the prophetess — not the celebrity prophet Jeremiah, who was active at the time, but a woman teaching in the college quarter. Huldah authenticates the book and prophesies the future of Judah.
Modern reformers should be similarly humble. King Josiah, the most reform-minded king of Judah, did not trust his own instincts about Scripture; he sent priests and scribes to a woman teacher to confirm the word. Recover the practice of consulting godly women, asking godly elders, double-checking your interpretation against Scripture itself. Pride does not authenticate the Word; humility does.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H2468 — Chuldah — Huldah; weasel
Usage
"A king consulted a woman to authenticate Scripture; modern reformers should be similarly humble."
"Josiah sent priests to a woman teaching in the college quarter; pride does not authenticate the Word."
"Recover the practice of consulting godly elders before announcing your interpretation."