Who was Tikvah in the Bible?

Tikvah, also called Tokhath, was the father of Shallum and the father-in-law of the prophetess Huldah. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22 as a keeper of the wardrobe, likely for the king or temple.

Why is Tikvah significant in the Bible?

Tikvah's significance comes entirely through his family connection. His daughter-in-law was the respected prophetess Huldah, whom King Josiah consulted to authenticate the Book of the Law found in the temple (2 Kings 22:14-20).

What does the name Tikvah mean?

The name Tikvah (תִּקְוָה) is Hebrew and means 'hope' or 'expectation.' This same word is famously used in Jeremiah 29:11: 'For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you hope (tikvah) and a future.'

Tikvah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleProphetFather

Tikvah, also known as Tokhath, was the father of Shallum and the father-in-law of Huldah the prophetess.

Tikvah

Biography

Tikvah, also rendered Tokhath in 2 Chronicles 34:22, was a resident of Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah and the father of Shallum, keeper of the wardrobe. His most significant connection in Scripture is familial: his son Shallum was the husband of Huldah the prophetess. When Josiah's officials discovered the Book of the Law during temple renovations, the king sent a delegation that included the high priest Hilkiah and the scribe Shaphan to inquire of Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). As Shallum's father, Tikvah was therefore part of the extended household through which this pivotal prophetess operated. Nothing further is recorded about Tikvah himself, but his family occupied a respected position in Josiah's Jerusalem.

Significance

Tikvah's significance in biblical history derives entirely from his proximity to Huldah, one of Scripture's most important female prophets. Through the household Tikvah helped establish, God chose to deliver a decisive prophetic word at one of Judah's most critical moments, a word that authenticated the rediscovered Law and confirmed Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 22:15–20). Huldah's oracle set in motion the most comprehensive religious revival Judah had known since David. That God worked through a family unit, a prophetess in a household with ordinary connections to palace administration, affirms that divine purposes are often advanced through the faithfulness of those whose names are barely remembered.

Verse Appearances (2)

2Kgs

2Kgs 22:14

2Chr

2Chr 34:22

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]

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