Definition: So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Kings 22:14. It’s a bit cryptic at first, but it describes a very important meeting between some leaders of the Israelite people and a prophetess. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, these men were visiting a woman who was serving as a prophetess. Let's unpack it further: “So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah…” : These are some of the most powerful and important leaders in the Israelite community. They were responsible for overseeing the religious and political matters of the people. Think of them as the top priests and officials. “…went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe…” : This is where it gets interesting. “Huldah” was a very important prophetess – she was seen as a messenger from God. "Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas..." These names all point to specific people and roles within the leadership structure. “…now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;” : This means she lived and worked in the city of Jerusalem. “College” refers to a place where important religious leaders were housed. "...and they communed with her." : This is the key part. "Communed" means they talked, discussed, and shared things with her. So, what's the big takeaway? This verse tells us that these leaders were meeting with Huldah, a prophetess, in Jerusalem. It suggests she was delivering important messages or warnings to the people – possibly about a problem or something concerning their future. Context is Important: It’s important to remember this verse comes from an Old Testament prophecy. Historically, it's believed that Huldah played a crucial role in warning the Israelites of impending disaster, specifically regarding the rise of evil and the downfall of their kingdom. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on general interpretations of scripture and historical context. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer? For example, are you curious about: What kind of "problem" Huldah was warning them about? The significance of the names mentioned?