Who was Josiah in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about Josiah?

Josiah was a king of Judah who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. He was the son of Amon and the grandson of Manasseh (2Ki.21.24, 26; 1Ch.3.14). Josiah became king at the age of eight and reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem (2Ki.22.1; 2Ch.34.1). Josiah is best known for his religious reforms and his commitment to following the Law of the Lord. In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah initiated repairs to the temple (2Ki.22.3-7; 2Ch.34.8-13). During these repairs, the Book of the Law was discovered (2Ki.22.8-13; 2Ch.34.14-21). Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes in repentance and sought the guidance of the prophetess Huldah (2Ki.22.11-20; 2Ch.34.22-28). Josiah then led a comprehensive religious reform, removing pagan worship sites, idols, and practices from Judah and Jerusalem (2Ki.23.1-25; 2Ch.34.29-35:19). He renewed the covenant between the people and God and celebrated the Passover with great dedication (2Ki.23.21-23; 2Ch.35.1-19). Josiah's reign and reforms were praised by the prophets, including Jeremiah and Zephaniah (Jer.1.2; 3.6; 22.11, 18; 25.1, 3; 26.1; 35.1; 36.1-2, 9; Zep.1.1). However, Josiah's life came to a tragic end when he confronted Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo and was killed in battle (2Ki.23.29-30; 2Ch.35.20-27). He was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz (2Ki.23.30; 2Ch.36.1). Despite the reforms Josiah implemented, Judah's unfaithfulness persisted, and the nation ultimately faced the Babylonian exile (2Ki.23.26-27; Jer.25.1-14). Nonetheless, Josiah is remembered as a righteous king who sought to turn the nation back to God.

Where does Josiah appear in the Bible?

Josiah is referenced in 43 verses across 6 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 1 Chronicles 3:14
• 1 Chronicles 3:15
• 1 Kings 13:2
• 2 Chronicles 33:25
• 2 Chronicles 34:1
• 2 Chronicles 34:33
• 2 Chronicles 35:1
• 2 Chronicles 35:7
• 2 Chronicles 35:16
• 2 Chronicles 35:18
• 2 Chronicles 35:19
• 2 Chronicles 35:20
• 2 Chronicles 35:22
• 2 Chronicles 35:23
• 2 Chronicles 35:24
• 2 Chronicles 35:25
• 2 Chronicles 35:26
• 2 Chronicles 36:1
• 2 Kings 21:24
• 2 Kings 21:26
• 2 Kings 22:1
• 2 Kings 22:3
• 2 Kings 23:16
• 2 Kings 23:19

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Josiah.