Who was Josiah?

Great reformer king of Judah

The story of Josiah

Josiah - King of Judah
Josiah - King of Judah
39 yearsBorn: -647Died: -608From: JerusalemKing of Judah

Josiah was a king of Judah who ruled from 640 to 609 BCE. He was the son of King Amon and came to the throne at the age of 8. He is remembered for his religious reforms and for reestablishing the worship of God in Judah. Josiah is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the books of Kings and Chronicles. According to the Bible, Josiah was a righteous and devout king who worked to remove idol worship from the kingdom of Judah and to restore the worship of God. He ordered the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair, and during the course of the repairs, a copy of the Book of the Law was discovered. This discovery inspired Josiah to call for a nationwide religious revival, in which the people of Judah rededicated themselves to the worship of God. Josiah's reforms were widely seen as a turning point in the history of the kingdom of Judah, and he is remembered as one of the most important religious leaders of his time.

Name meaning

Yahweh supports

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

King of Judah

First mention

1 Kings 13:2

Appearances in the Bible

48 mentions

Family

Relatives of Josiah

Josiah in the Bible

Explore all 22 chapters where Josiah appears

1 Kings

Chapter 13

The Man of God from Judah

A man of God from Judah confronts Jeroboam, the northern king, and pronounces judgment on him.

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2 Kings

Chapter 21

Manasseh's Reign in Judah

Manasseh becomes king of Judah and leads the people into great evil, including idol worship and child sacrifice.

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2 Kings

Chapter 22

Josiah's Reforms in Judah

Josiah becomes king of Judah and carries out extensive reforms, removing idolatry and repairing the temple.

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2 Kings

Chapter 23

The Book of the Law Found

The book of the law is discovered during repairs to the temple, leading to further reforms and a revival of faith.

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 3

Sons of David

A genealogy of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, detailing their family lineages and populations.

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 33

Manasseh's Repentance and Restoration

Manasseh's journey from wickedness to repentance, emphasizing the possibility of divine restoration even after a period ...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 34

Josiah's Reforms and Rediscovery of the Law

Josiah's reign marked by extensive reforms, culminating in the rediscovery of the Law and a fervent commitment to renewi...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 35

Josiah's Passover and Death

Josiah's last acts of piety, including the celebration of the Passover, and the somber conclusion of his reign with his ...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 36

Judah's Final Years and Exile

The chapter narrates the tragic decline of Judah, marked by idolatry, disobedience, and the Babylonian conquest, leading...

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Zephaniah

Chapter 1

The Lord's Wrath and Judgment

The Lord announces His wrath and judgment against the nations and against the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their si...

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Zechariah

Chapter 6

A Vision of the Four Chariots

Zechariah has a vision of four chariots, symbolizing the Lord's power and judgment upon the earth.

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Jeremiah

Chapter 1

The Calling of Jeremiah

In Jeremiah 1, God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations. Despite his feelings of inadequacy and youthfulness, G...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 3

God Invites His People to Return

In Jeremiah chapter 3, God calls on His people, Israel, to return to Him, despite their unfaithfulness and idolatry. He ...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 22

Warnings for the Kings of Judah

Jeremiah delivers a message from God to the kings of Judah, urging them to rule justly and warning of the consequences o...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 25

God's Judgment on Judah and the Nations

In Jeremiah 25, God pronounces judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations for their sins and unfaithfulness. Jeremiah...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 26

Jeremiah's Prophecy in the Temple

In chapter 26 of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet delivers a warning message from God to the people of Judah. Speaking ...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 27

Submitting to the Babylonian Empire

In Jeremiah 27, God instructs Jeremiah to make a yoke and put it on his neck as a symbol of submission to the Babylonian...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 35

The Rechabites' Faithfulness

In Jeremiah 35, God commands Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites, a group of nomadic people, to the temple to offer them wi...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 36

The Scribe's Call and King's Ignorance

In Jeremiah chapter 36, God commands Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he had spoken against Judah and its kings...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 37

Jeremiah's Imprisonment

In Jeremiah 37, King Zedekiah sends two officials to Jeremiah to inquire about the outcome of the Babylonian siege. Jere...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 45

Comfort for Baruch in Times of Hardship

In Jeremiah chapter 45, Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, expresses his discouragement amidst the turmoil of Judah. Go...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 46

The Babylonian Conquest of Egypt Foretold

In Jeremiah chapter 46, God instructs the prophet to speak a message of judgment against Egypt. A great invasion by the ...

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Showing all 22 chapter appearances