Josiah
Josiah (or Hen), along with others, provided silver and gold for a crown in a symbolic act during Zechariah's time.
Biography
This Josiah, also known as Hen, was the son of Zephaniah and a resident of Jerusalem during the post-exilic period of restoration under the prophet Zechariah. He is mentioned specifically in Zechariah 6:10–14, where God instructs the prophet to collect silver and gold from returning exiles, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who had come from Babylon. These materials were fashioned into a crown and placed on the head of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak in a prophetic coronation ceremony. Josiah son of Zephaniah hosted this delegation and participated in the symbolic act, his house serving as the gathering point for this significant prophetic event during the early years of the Second Temple period.
Significance
The crowning ceremony recorded in Zechariah 6 is rich with messianic symbolism: a priest bearing a royal crown points toward the coming figure who would unite the offices of priest and king, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Josiah son of Zephaniah's role as host and participant places him at the epicenter of this prophetic drama. Though a minor figure, his inclusion names ordinary faithful people as witnesses to and participants in God's unfolding redemptive revelation. The act of providing precious metals for a symbolic crown illustrates how post-exilic communities expressed hope in God's future promises through concrete, worshipful acts of generosity.
Verse Appearances (2)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]