Huldah

From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers

Donated by Jeremy

The seven Jewish biblical prophetesses

Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah and Esther are the seven prophetesses in the Jewish tradition. Today, is Huldah’s turn and she is the prophetess about whom we know the least!

Who the heck is Huldah?

Huldah, whose name in Hebrew translates to a “burrowing animal”, such as a weasel or a mole, is the prophetess about whom we know the least. She lived c. 640–564 BCE. She is discussed in 2 Kings 22:14–20 and again in 2 Chronicles 34:22–28, which is a mere nine verses. What is known is that Huldah was married to the king’s wardrobe keeper and lived in Jerusalem, in the the “New Quarter”.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse

In c. 622 BCE, during repairs to the temple in Jerusalem, workmen discovered what they thought to be an ancient scroll or “book of the law” (now thought to be part of Deuteronomy). Because they had not been following these laws, the king became concerned that the people may have been incurring the wrath of G-d during the time they were unaware of their existence.

Huldah verifies the Book of the Law* and prophesizes

So the king sent a team of people to Huldah, who verified the scroll’s legitimacy and confirmed that the Lord has said, “I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read.”

However, Huldah also concluded her prediction by reassuring King Josiah that, due to his piety, G-d has also promised that “thou shalt be gathered unto thy grave in peace, neither shall thy eyes see all the evil which I shall bring upon this place.”

Her prediction manifests as reality**

The king immediately led a spirit of repentance; holiness and purity filled the entire nation. Neither the king nor Huldah lived to see the destruction, which eventually did come and took place during the end of the eleven-year reign of his son, Zedekiah.

Ok, what are her mystical associations?

Hebrew name: חלדה

Planet: Saturn

Astrological association: Aquarius, Capricorn

Gematria: 47

Stone: Black onyx

Developmental stage: Foundation

Day: Friday

Sefirot: Yesod (foundation, covenant)

Sacred species: Olive oil

Body association: Sexual organs

Rituals: Reading the Torah, Brit Milah

Holidays: Yom Kippur, Hanukkah

Symbols: Torah scroll, Huldah’s gate

Prayers: Kaddish, Brit Milah, Kabbalat-Shabbat

Corresponding archangel: Cassiel