Illustration created for this project.
Josiah
A boy-king of Judah who repaired the Temple, rediscovered the Book of the Law, and led a great reform.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleA king of Judah who rediscovered the Book of the Law and led a sweeping religious reform.
2 Kings 22:8; 23:25
Matson Collection — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyClay seal impressions (bullae) of royal officials from late-monarchy Jerusalem — some bearing names known from this era — have been recovered in the City of David.
City of David bullae hoard from the burnt 'House of Bullae', Area G, Yigal Shiloh excavations (1982) — 51 late-monarchy seal impressions including that of Gemaryahu son of Shaphan (cf. Jer 36:10); publ. Y. Shoham in D. T. Ariel (ed.), 'Excavations at the City of David VI', Qedem 41 (2000).
Where in scripture
2 KingsHilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
2 Kings 22:8 — The Book of the Law found
There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.
2 Kings 23:25 — No king like him
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 5 recorded sayings
“Go up to Hilkiah, the chief priest, and let him give out the money which is taken into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the door have got together from the people; And let it be given to the overseers of the work of the Lord's house, to give to the workmen who are making good what was damaged in the house of the Lord; To the woodworkers and the builders and the stone-cutters; and for getting wood and cut stones for the building up of the house. They did not have to give any account of the money which was handed to them, for they made use of it with good faith.” — 2 Kings 22:4-7
“Go and get directions from the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah, about the words of this book which has come to light; for great is the wrath of the Lord which is burning against us, because our fathers have not given ear to the words of this book, to do all the things which are recorded in it.” — 2 Kings 22:13
“What is that headstone I see over there? And the men of the town said to him, It is the resting-place of the man of God who came from Judah and gave word of all these things which you have done to the altar of Beth-el.” — 2 Kings 23:17
“So he said, Let him be; let not his bones be moved. So they let his bones be with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.” — 2 Kings 23:18
“And the king gave orders to all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it says in this book of the law.” — 2 Kings 23:21
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Events
Places in their life
Photo: Godot13 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
