Josiah
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Josiah (Koine Greek: Ἰωσίας; Latin: Iosias) or Yoshiyahu (Biblical Hebrew: יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, romanized: Yōʾšiyyāhū, lit. 'healed or supported by Yahweh') was the 16th king of Judah (c. 640–609 BCE). Described as "one of Judah’s most important kings," his reign likely marked a turning point in the development of Yahwism. According to the Hebrew Bible, Josiah ascended to the throne of the southern Kingdom of Judah at the age of eight following the assassination of his father, King Amon. He reigned for 31 years, during which he expanded Judah and initiated major religious reforms, centralizing worship in Jerusalem and eliminating the worship of foreign gods. According to the Hebrew Bible, Josiah's religious reforms began in his eighteenth year as king when the 'Book of the Law' (likely an early version of the Book of Deuteronomy) was discovered during repairs to the Temple, and the prophetess Huldah confirmed its authenticity. Following this discovery, Josiah destroyed idols, high places, and sacred poles and purged Judah of false priests, mediums, and magicians. His reforms also extended into the territory that had once been part of the northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been absorbed into the Assyrian Empire. Josiah's reforms were not purely religious; they were also politically motivated. By centralizing worship at the Jerusalem Temple and eliminating smaller shrines and high places, Josiah gained control over the offerings and dues previously managed by local cultic centers. Scholars argue that he sought to revive a united kingdom. The biblical account of Josiah's reforms, especially the removal of idol worship and the destruction of high places, has traditionally been considered historically accurate. However, the accuracy of these descriptions is now widely debated among scholars. Despite no direct reference to Josiah in other contemporary texts from Egypt or Babylon, and no inscriptions bearing his name, a seal bearing the name "Nathan-melech," an official under Josiah mentioned in 2 Kings 23:11, was discovered in situ in an archeological site in Jerusalem. This seal provides some archaeological support for the biblical account. Most scholars, however, agree on Josiah's historical existence. The influence of Josiah’s reign is evident in the Deuteronomistic History, a collection of biblical texts that evaluate the reigns of Israelite and Judahite kings based on their adherence to the laws of Deuteronomy. Josiah is depicted as the most righteous king in this tradition, the only one to fully implement the reforms outlined in the "Book of the Law." His death in 609 BCE during a confrontation with Pharaoh Necho II of Late Egypt set the stage for the decline of the kingdom.