The name Josiah, which signifies “the Lord heals” or “supported by the Lord,” identifies men whose lives were intimately tied to the preservation and restoration of the faith. Their presence in the historical record highlights the necessity of divine support and healing for the people of God when they face the consequences of apostasy and exile.
Who Was Josiah, the King of Judah? Found in 2 Kings 22:1–23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34:1–35:27, Josiah was the son of Amon who ascended the throne of Judah at the age of eight. He is remembered as one of the most righteous kings to ever occupy the Davidic throne. Upon the discovery of the Book of the Law within the temple, he initiated a comprehensive national reformation, purging the land of high places, Asherah poles, and the instruments of idolatry that had corrupted the heart of the nation. His reign stands as the ultimate example of a ruler who, recognizing the ruin brought by the disobedience of his predecessors, humbled himself before the Word of the Lord and led the people in a covenantal return to the truth. His life demonstrates that even in a generation marked by decay, a single heart dedicated to the restoration of the law can effect monumental spiritual change.
Who Was Josiah, the Son of Zephaniah? Mentioned in Zechariah 6:10, this Josiah (also referred to as Hen) lived in the days of the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem. He is noted as one of the men in whose house the prophet Zechariah was instructed to crown the high priest Joshua, the son of Josedech. The prophet was to take gold and silver from Josiah’s house to fashion the crowns for this sacred ritual. His involvement in this prophetic act signifies his role as a supporter of the priesthood and the rebuilding of the temple. By offering his home and resources for the service of the Lord’s work, he represents the faithful remnant who, having returned from captivity, dedicated their substance and their hospitality to the re-establishment of the worship of the Almighty.