Who was Hilkiah in the Bible?
High Priest, during the divided monarchy
Hilkiah was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2Kings 22-23, 2Chronicles 34-35). Hilkiah appears in 23 verses across 5 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Hilkiah for 2 different people. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Hilkiah in 2 Chronicles
Hilkiah was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2Kings 22-23, 2Chronicles 34-35). He is most notable for his discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, which led to a significant religious reform and renewal in Judah. In the 18th year of Josiah's reign, Hilkiah was involved in the repair and restoration of the temple. During this process, he found the Book of the Law, which had been lost or neglected for some time (2Ki.22.8, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.34.14). Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the scribe, who then brought it to King Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply troubled and sought to inquire of the Lord. Hilkiah, along with others, was sent to consult with the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed the authenticity of the book and prophesied about the judgment that would come upon Judah for their disobedience (2Ki.22.12-20, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.34.20-28). Following this, Josiah initiated a comprehensive religious reform, removing idolatry, destroying pagan shrines, and restoring proper worship according to the Law. Hilkiah played a key role in this process, as he was entrusted with the task of cleansing the temple and overseeing the observance of the Passover (2Ki.23.4-24, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.35.1-19). Hilkiah is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites and priests (1Ch.6.13, 9:11).
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Hilkiah in 2 Kings
Hilkiah is mentioned in 2Kings 18 and Isaiah 22 and 36 as a high-ranking official in the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. He held the position of "master of the household" (2Ki.18.18, Isa.36.3), which was a significant role in the royal administration, overseeing the palace and its affairs. During the Assyrian invasion led by Sennacherib, Hilkiah, along with Shebna the scribe and Joah the recorder, was sent by Hezekiah to meet with the Assyrian officials (2Ki.18.18, Isa.36.3). The Assyrian representative, the Rabshakeh, delivered a threatening message to Hezekiah, urging him to surrender. Hilkiah and his companions reported the message to the king, who then sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah (2Ki.18.37, Isa.36.22). In Isa.22.20-25, a prophecy is given concerning Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who would replace Shebna as the steward of the royal household. This prophecy emphasizes the importance of the role and the trust placed in the person holding this position. Hilkiah's involvement in these key events during Hezekiah's reign highlights his importance as a trusted advisor and official in the king's court.
6 verses: 2 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 18:26, 2 Kings 18:37, Isaiah 22:20, Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 36:22
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Hilkiah appear in the Bible?
Hilkiah is referenced in 23 verses across 5 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Chronicles 6:13
- 1 Chronicles 9:11
- 2 Chronicles 34:9
- 2 Chronicles 34:14
- 2 Chronicles 34:15
- 2 Chronicles 34:18
- 2 Chronicles 34:20
- 2 Chronicles 34:22
- 2 Chronicles 35:8
- 2 Kings 22:4
- 2 Kings 22:8
- 2 Kings 22:10
- 2 Kings 22:12
- 2 Kings 22:14
- 2 Kings 23:4
- 2 Kings 23:24
- Nehemiah 11:11
Showing the first 17 of 23.
Open all 23 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Hilkiah.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Hilkiah?
Hilkiah refers to 2 different people in the Bible: Hilkiah in 2 Chronicles; Hilkiah in 2 Kings.
How many times does the Bible mention Hilkiah?
Hilkiah appears in 23 verses across 5 books, most often in 2 Kings, which accounts for 10 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Hilkiah?
2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, 1 Chronicles, Nehemiah.
Where can I read every verse about Hilkiah?
This page lists 17 of them. Protos carries all 23, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
