Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All

$5.00

Explore the intriguing link between the biblical figures Hilkiah and Azariah and archaeological excavations near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Learn how artifacts like bullae (seal impressions) unearthed in the City of David lend credence to these key characters from the era of King Josiah, enriching our understanding of biblical history.

Introduction

Hilkiah, the high priest during King Josiah’s reign, was a key figure in restoring true worship in Jerusalem. He was the son of Shallum and father of Azariah, with a lineage traced back to Ezra the scribe (2 Kings 22:3-4; 1 Chronicles 6:13; Ezra 7:1, 2, 6). His most notable contribution was discovering “the book of Jehovah’s law by the hand of Moses” during temple repairs, believed to be Moses’ original manuscript. Hilkiah passed this significant find to Shaphan, the secretary, who then brought it to King Josiah. This led to Josiah sending Hilkiah and others to Huldah the prophetess, seeking divine guidance for both the king and the people (2 Kings 22:3-14; 2 Chronicles 34:14).

Biblical References

During King Josiah’s eighteenth year, the king directed Shaphan, the court secretary, to visit the high priest Hilkiah at Jehovah’s temple. The task was to account for the silver collected at the temple (2 Kings 22:3–4). This lineage from Shallum to Jehozadak, including Hilkiah and his son Azariah, is detailed in 1 Chronicles 6:13–15, establishing their historical context.

Biblical Context

In the Old Testament, the names Hilkiah and Azariah appear multiple times, but only once, as a father-son duo who were priests. Hilkiah, the high priest in Jerusalem, was instrumental during King Josiah’s reign. He oversaw the temple’s repair, during which he discovered a significant scroll, “the book of the law.” This discovery initiated Josiah’s religious reforms, a pivotal event in Jewish history narrated in 2 Kings 22:3–23:25 and 2 Chronicles 34:8–33. The priestly lineage, including Hilkiah and Azariah, is documented in 1 Chronicles 6:1–30 and referenced in Ezra 7:1.

Evidence from History and Archaeology

Archaeological excavations in the City of David, near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, have unearthed over fifty bullae (seal impressions). These artifacts, found in a layer dating to the late seventh to early sixth centuries BCE, align with the lifetime of Azariah, Hilkiah’s son. Notably, one bulla bears the inscription “Belonging to Azaryahu, son of Hilqiyahu,” which translates to “Azariah, son of Hilkiah” in English.

Significance of the Find

The proximity of these finds to the temple area, about 250 meters away, suggests a connection to the high priest’s activities. The time frame of the stratum (an archaeological layer of soil or debris) where the bullae were found matches the period when Azariah would have been alive. This adds credibility to the artifact’s association with the biblical figures.

Conclusion

The discovery of a seal impression belonging to Azariah, son of Hilkiah, is a significant archaeological finding. It was unearthed in a controlled dig, in a stratum that aligns with the era of these biblical characters. This artifact offers strong evidence supporting the historicity of Azariah and Hilkiah, affirming their existence and roles during King Josiah’s reign. Such finds are crucial in bridging biblical narratives with historical and archaeological evidence, providing tangible connections to the ancient world.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).