Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Joe Baker <joebaker AT cygnus.uwa.edu.au>]

Hi Liz

IMO the story of the mission to Huldah imitates that of the earlier mission
to Isaiah and probably derives from the same author or a close colleague.
The deuteronomic Isaiah story was based on the opinion of its author that
Isaiah was the greatest prophet of his day. On this basis the mission to
Huldah shows that she was regarded as the leading prophetess of her days.

It is often suggested that Huldah was rather a minor prophetess, hence the
long qualification as the "wife of Shallum, son of Tiqwah, son of Harhas,
the keeper of the clothes". IMO, since Huldah was very well known, the
qualification is best understood as introducing Shallum. Why? Well, as a
suggestion, his position in the court and prophetic circles makes him the
perfect candidate to have authored the original Book of Kings.

Regards
Joe Baker ===========\
Perth                |
Western Australia ===/