Josias
The Greek Form of Josiah
Josias is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Josiah, used in the New Testament and in some apocryphal writings. In Matthew 1:10-11, the genealogy of Jesus Christ lists Josias as an ancestor, placing him in the royal line from David to the Babylonian exile. Understanding Josias requires looking at the remarkable life of King Josiah, one of Judah's most celebrated rulers.
Josiah's Rise to the Throne
Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight, following the assassination of his father Amon (2 Kings 21:23-24). Despite his youth and the corrupt spiritual legacy of his grandfather Manasseh, Josiah chose a radically different path. Second Chronicles 34:3 records that at age sixteen he began seeking the God of David, and by age twenty he launched a campaign to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatrous worship, tearing down altars, Asherah poles, and carved images.
The Discovery of the Book of the Law
The defining moment of Josiah's reign came in the eighteenth year of his rule, when the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law in the temple during renovation work (2 Kings 22:8). When Josiah heard the words of the Law read aloud, he tore his robes in grief, recognizing how far Judah had strayed from God's commands (2 Kings 22:11). This discovery sparked the most comprehensive religious reform in Judah's history, including a nationwide covenant renewal and a great Passover celebration unmatched since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:21-23).
Josiah's Reforms
Josiah's reforms were sweeping and thorough. He removed all the vessels made for Baal and Asherah from the temple, deposed the idolatrous priests, destroyed the high places, defiled Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to prevent child sacrifice, and broke down the altars that Manasseh had built (2 Kings 23:4-20). His actions fulfilled a prophecy spoken centuries earlier by an unnamed prophet during the reign of Jeroboam I (1 Kings 13:2), who predicted that a king named Josiah would burn the bones of false priests on the altar at Bethel.
Josias in the Genealogy of Christ
Matthew's Gospel places Josias in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:10-11), positioning him as a pivotal figure in the line from Abraham to Christ. His placement near the Babylonian exile is significant, as Josiah's death at Megiddo at the hands of Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29) marked a turning point after which Judah rapidly declined toward exile. Despite his faithfulness, Josiah could not permanently avert the judgment that Judah's accumulated sins had set in motion, pointing to the need for a greater King.
Legacy and Significance
The biblical assessment of Josiah is unequivocal: "Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might" (2 Kings 23:25). His life demonstrates both the power and the limits of human reform. While Josiah's devotion was genuine and his reforms far-reaching, lasting spiritual transformation ultimately required what no earthly king could achieve, pointing forward to the coming of Christ.
Biblical Context
Josias appears in Matthew 1:10-11 in the genealogy of Jesus. The full account of Josiah's life and reign is found in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. He is also referenced in 1 Esdras 1 and Baruch 1:8 in apocryphal literature. The prophets Jeremiah and Zephaniah ministered during his reign.
Theological Significance
Josiah exemplifies wholehearted devotion to God and the transformative power of encountering Scripture. His response to hearing the Book of the Law models genuine repentance and obedience. His inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the messianic line's continuity through Judah's righteous kings. Yet the fact that even Josiah's reforms could not prevent Judah's exile highlights humanity's need for a Savior whose kingdom would be eternal.
Historical Background
Josiah reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC during a period when Assyrian power was declining, giving Judah greater political independence. His death occurred at the Battle of Megiddo in 609 BC when he attempted to intercept Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who was marching to support the remnants of Assyria against Babylon. Archaeological evidence from this period includes the Lachish Letters and various seal impressions bearing the names of officials from Josiah's court.