"And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD."
Hilkiah Meaning in the Bible
Hilkiah
Hilkiah means "the LORD is my portion," a Hebrew name. In 2 Kings 22:8 Hilkiah the high priest finds the book of the law in the house of the LORD, the discovery that set off King Josiah's reformation.
Is Hilkiah in the Bible?
Yes — Hilkiah (spelled Hillkiah in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 22:8.
Hilkiah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "The LORD is my portion; God is my share". Hilkiah means "the LORD is my portion" in Hebrew.
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Editor’s reflection
The high priest who found the lost book of the law under a pile of temple repairs.
Hilkiah (Hebrew חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Chilqiyyahu) joins cheleq, 'portion' or 'share,' to the divine name: 'my portion is the LORD.' It echoes the Levite inheritance formula — the tribe that received no land because God himself was their portion (Numbers 18:20) — which makes it an unusually fitting name for a priest.
The Hilkiah who matters is high priest under Josiah. During repairs to the temple he tells Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD' (2 Kings 22:8). Josiah hears it read, tears his clothes, and launches the most thorough reform in Judah's history. A building-works discovery changed a nation's direction.
The name is common enough in the period that several men carry it: the father of Jeremiah, a priest 'of the priests that were in Anathoth' (Jeremiah 1:1); the father of Eliakim, Hezekiah's steward (2 Kings 18:18); and Levites in Chronicles and Nehemiah.
Modern use is rare in English and mostly Jewish, where Hilki or Kiah serve as short forms. Kiah in particular has quietly become a standalone name that most parents never connect back to the priest who found the scroll.
“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.”
What does Hilkiah mean in the Bible?
Hilkiah means "The LORD is my portion; God is my share" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Hilkiah means "the LORD is my portion" in Hebrew. He was the high priest during King Josiah's reign who made one of the most important discoveries in biblical history — finding the lost Book of the Law in the temple during renovations.
When Hilkiah "found the book of the law in the house of the LORD," it was a watershed moment. The Book of the Law — likely Deuteronomy — had been neglected and physically lost during the decades of apostasy under Manasseh and Amon. The nation had literally lost its Scripture.
Hilkiah sent the book to King Josiah through the scribe Shaphan. When Josiah heard the words read aloud, he tore his clothes in anguish: "Great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book." This led to the greatest religious reformation in Judah's history.
Hilkiah's discovery demonstrates that God's Word has the power to transform nations — even when it has been neglected, lost, or forgotten. When Scripture is recovered and read, revival follows.
Where does Hilkiah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Hilkiah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Kings 22:8. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found."
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Which books of the Bible mention Hilkiah?
Hilkiah is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Hilkiah?
Hilkiah — 'the LORD is my portion' — found the lost Word of God buried in the temple. His discovery ignited a national revival, proving that when Scripture is recovered, transformation is inevitable.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Hilkiah:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
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Hebrews 13:5 Commentary
In-depth study • Contentment & God's Presence
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Shadrach in the Bible
Faithful in the Fiery Furnace
Light (אוֹר (Or) / φῶς (Phōs))
A symbol of God's presence, truth, holiness, and salvation
What names are related to Hilkiah?
Names like Hilkiah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "The LORD is my portion; God is my share" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Hilkiah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Hilkiah
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Hilkiah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Hilkiah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Hilkiah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Hilkiah?
You can read every verse where Hilkiah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.