Lexical Definition

‎חִלְקִיָּה‎ Chilqîyâh (khil-kee-yaw') Hilkiah ^N:N-M-P
or חִלְקִיָּהוּ Chilqîyâhûw (khil-kee-yaw'-hoo); from ‎חֵלֶק‎ and ‎יָהּ‎; portion of Jah

Hillkiah.

• § Hilkiah = "my portion is Jehovah"
• Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites

1) father of Eliakim, an officer of Hezekiah
2) high priest in the reign of Josiah
3) a Merarite Levite, son of Amzi
4) another Merarite Levite, 2nd son of Hosah
5) one of those who stood on the right of Ezra when he read the law and probably a Levite and a priest
6) a priest of Anathoth, father of the prophet Jeremiah
7) father of Gemariah who was one of Zedekiah's envoys to Babylon

Extended Information

• A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.22.4
• son of: Shallum (שַׁלּוּם)
• father of: Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה) and Gemariah (גְּמַרְיָה)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎חִלְקִיָּהוּ‎, ‎חִלְקִיָּה‎ proper name, masculine (my portion is ‎׳‎‎י‎) ᵐ5 usually Ξελκ(ε)ιας, Ξελχιας; —

1. father of Eliakim, Hezekiah's officer, ‎חלקיהו‎ 2Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 18:26; Isa 22:20; Isa 36:3; Isa 36:22 ‎חלקיה‎ 2Kgs 18:37.

2. high priest, Josiah's time, ‎חלקיהו‎ 2Kgs 22:4; 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 22:14; 2Kgs 23:4; 2Kgs 23:24; 2Chr 34:9; 2Chr 34:14; 2Chr 34:15 (twice in verse); 2Chr 34:18; 2Chr 34:20; 2Chr 34:22 ‎חלקיה‎ 2Kgs 22:8; 2Kgs 22:10; 2Kgs 22:12; 1Chr 5:39* (twice in verse); 1Chr 9:11; 2Chr 35:8; Ezra 7:1, compare also Neh 11:11.

3. ‎חלקיהו‎ father of Jeremiah Jer 1:1. — The following are all ‎׃חלקיה‎

4. Levites:
a. 1Chr 6:30*.
b. 1Chr 26:11.

5. a priest, contemp. of Ezra Neh 4:8*; Neh 12:7; Neh 12:21.

6. father of Gemariah, an ambassador of Zedekiah to Nebuchadrezzar Jer 29:3.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book	Refs
2 Kings	18:18 · 18:26 · 18:37 · 22:4 · 22:8 · 22:10 · 22:12 · 22:14 · 23:4 · 23:24
1 Chronicles	5:39* · 6:30* · 9:11 · 26:11
2 Chronicles	34:9 · 34:14 · 34:15 · 34:18 · 34:20 · 34:22 · 35:8
Ezra	7:1
Nehemiah	4:8* · 11:11 · 12:7 · 12:21
Isaiah	22:20 · 36:3 · 36:22
Jeremiah	1:1 · 29:3

Profile

Male • A High Priest • The high priest who discovered the Book of the Law.

High Priest living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Hilkiah, the high priest during King Josiah's reign, discovered the Book of the Law in the temple, sparking a religious reform.

• A High Priest from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.22.4;
• only referred to as Hilkiah חִלְקִיָּה;
• a son of Shallum שַׁלּוּם;
• father of Azariah עֲזַרְיָה and Gemariah גְּמַרְיָה.

Hilkiah was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 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 (2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 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 (2 Kings 22:12-20, 2 Chronicles 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 (2 Kings 23:4-24, 2 Chronicles 35:1-19).

Hilkiah is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites and priests (1 Chronicles 6:13, 9:11).

All entries for Hilkiah: חִלְקִיָּה

Related Profiles:

• Shallum (father)
• Azariah (child)
• Gemariah (child)