Women of the Bible: Hulda| When the Word Was Found Again

 

Hulda: When the Word Was Found Again

During the reign of King Josiah, Judah stood at a spiritual crossroads.

Years of neglect, idolatry, and disobedience had distanced the nation from God’s law. Even the temple — once the heart of worship — had fallen into disrepair. As renovations began, something unexpected happened.

A scroll was discovered.

It was the Book of the Law, believed to be a portion of Deuteronomy — long forgotten, buried beneath layers of spiritual drift. When the scroll was read aloud to the king, Josiah was undone. He tore his robes in grief, recognizing how far the people had strayed from God’s commands.

The words were not comforting.
They were convicting.

Judgment was written plainly in the text.

And Josiah knew immediately that this was not something he could interpret or respond to on his own.

A Question That Demanded an Answer:

The king sent his officials with a single command:

“Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for the people.”

This was not casual curiosity. It was urgency — the kind that comes when truth confronts generations of silence.

The question was simple but weighty:

Was this word truly from God?

And to answer it, the delegation did not go to the priests.
They did not go to the king.
They did not even go to the well-known prophets of the day.

They went to Hulda.

Why Hulda Was Called Upon:

At the time, prophets such as Jeremiah and Zephaniah were active. Religious leaders filled the temple courts. Yet when confirmation of God’s Word was needed, Hulda was sought.

Scripture offers no explanation. It simply records the fact.

Hulda was trusted.

She was known as a woman who:

• Understood God’s law deeply.
• Spoke truth without embellishment.
• Delivered messages faithfully, without fear or distortion.

When clarity was required, her voice carried weight.

What kind of life must she have lived for leaders to bypass the palace, the temple, and the prophets — and seek her instead?

One imagines a woman shaped by the Word long before it was found. A steady presence in a wavering time. Perhaps she had quietly taught the law to her neighbors. Perhaps her door had always been open to questions. What is clear is this: she was ready when the moment came.

Hulda’s Background and Setting:

Hulda lived in Jerusalem, in the Second Quarter of the city — an area near the temple and centers of learning. She was married to Shallum, a man connected to royal administration, placing her household within official circles.

This detail matters.

Hulda was not hidden away or removed from public life. She lived where leaders passed through, where decisions were made, and where questions of faith and law were discussed.

Her authority was not granted in a moment of crisis — it had been established through a life of faithfulness.

The Message Hulda Delivered:

When Hulda spoke, she did not soften the truth.

• She confirmed that the scroll was authentic.
• She affirmed that the judgment written was real.
• Judah had indeed disobeyed God.

But her message did not end with judgment.

Because Josiah humbled himself before the Lord — because his heart responded with repentance — the coming disaster would not fall during his lifetime.

Hulda’s words balanced truth and mercy, conviction and compassion. She spoke exactly what the moment required — nothing more, nothing less.

A Woman Who Helped Shape Reform:

Hulda did not lead the national reforms that followed — but she made them possible.

Because she confirmed the Word of God:

• the covenant was renewed

• idolatry was confronted

• worship was restored

• the nation was called back to obedience

Her role was brief, yet pivotal.

History shifted because she spoke.

Hulda’s Quiet Legacy:

Hulda appears only briefly in Scripture — and then steps out of view.

But her obedience helped ignite one of the most significant spiritual reforms in Judah’s history. She did not seek influence. She did not claim visibility. She simply stood in her calling when truth was needed most.

And her legacy endures.

If you are the woman teaching Scripture quietly…
If you are the one offering wisdom behind the scenes…
If you are leading with faithfulness instead of fanfare…
If you are listening for God’s voice when the world is distracted...

You are walking in Hulda’s footsteps.

God entrusts His Word to faithful voices — even when the world overlooks them.

And sometimes, the most powerful voice in the room
is the one that has been listening all along.

Discover More:

Discover additional Women of the Bible features and devotionals that celebrate the courage, faith, and grace of women who walked with God. Visit the Women of the Bible page »

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