College
The KJV Translation Issue
In 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22, the King James Version states that the prophetess Huldah lived "in Jerusalem in the college." Modern translations correctly render this as "in the Second Quarter" or "in the Second District" of Jerusalem. The Hebrew word is 'mishneh,' meaning "second" or "double," referring to a newer section of the city. The KJV translators followed an older tradition that connected this word to the Mishnah (the Jewish code of oral law), hence "college" or "school," but this interpretation is now universally recognized as incorrect.
Huldah the Prophetess
The context of this passage is one of the most important episodes in the Old Testament. When King Josiah ordered repairs to the temple, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy or a larger portion of the Torah). When it was read to the king, Josiah tore his robes in distress, realizing how far the nation had departed from God's commands (2 Kings 22:11). He sent a delegation to inquire of the Lord, and they went to the prophetess Huldah, who lived in the Second Quarter of Jerusalem (2 Kings 22:14).
Huldah confirmed that God's judgment would indeed come upon Judah for its unfaithfulness, but she also delivered a message of grace to Josiah: because his heart was tender and he had humbled himself before the Lord, the disaster would not come during his lifetime (2 Kings 22:18-20). This prophecy prompted one of the most sweeping religious reforms in Judah's history.
The Second Quarter of Jerusalem
The Second Quarter was a newer residential district of Jerusalem, likely established during the westward expansion of the city in the eighth or seventh century BC. During the reigns of Hezekiah and Manasseh, Jerusalem grew significantly, and a new section was built to the west and north of the original City of David. Zephaniah 1:10 also mentions the Second Quarter ("the Second Quarter" or "Mishneh"), warning of a coming cry of distress from this district.
Archaeological evidence confirms that Jerusalem expanded westward during the late monarchy period, particularly after the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 BC, when refugees swelled the city's population. The broad wall discovered by archaeologist Nahman Avigad in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is believed to be part of the fortification of this expanded area.
Why the Mistranslation Matters
The KJV's rendering of "college" has sometimes been used to argue for the existence of formal educational institutions in ancient Israel. While the Israelites certainly had systems of education, particularly connected to the temple and the Levites, the word 'mishneh' in these passages does not refer to a school or academy. Understanding the correct translation as "Second Quarter" provides valuable geographical and historical information about Jerusalem's urban development and about where significant figures like Huldah lived and ministered.
Biblical Context
The word translated 'college' in the KJV appears in 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22, describing where the prophetess Huldah lived. The correct translation is 'Second Quarter,' a district of Jerusalem. The same Hebrew word appears in Zephaniah 1:10. These passages relate to King Josiah's discovery of the Book of the Law and the resulting religious reformation.
Theological Significance
While the translation issue is primarily linguistic, the passage's theological importance is immense. Huldah's prophecy from the Second Quarter validated the rediscovered Book of the Law, authenticated Josiah's reform, and demonstrated that God speaks through faithful prophets — including women — during times of national crisis. The episode teaches that genuine repentance can delay judgment and that God responds to humble hearts.
Historical Background
The Second Quarter of Jerusalem developed during the city's westward expansion in the eighth to seventh centuries BC. Archaeological discoveries, including the broad wall in the Jewish Quarter, confirm this expansion. The KJV's 'college' translation followed the Targum of Jonathan, which connected 'mishneh' to the later Jewish Mishnah, but this is a false etymological connection. The prophetess Huldah ministered during the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC), a period of significant religious reform.