Welcome to “Ehrman Errs,” a blog series devoted to using our conversational AI to refute each alleged biblical contradiction that is posed in the article on Bart Ehrman’s website: 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Biggest, Most Shocking Differences.
Today’s alleged contradiction:
#7 – The Prophetess Huldah and Her Family
A Case of Differing Names In 2 Kings 22:14, we read about Hilkiah the priest consulting the prophetess Huldah, who is described as the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas. However, the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 34:22 provides slightly different details about Huldah’s family. Here, her husband is named Shallum, but his lineage includes Tokhat and Hasra instead of Tikvah and Harhas. Even in the original Hebrew, these differences in names are clear and distinct.
How Does Ehrman Err?
It’s important to approach such matters with both honesty and care, recognizing that the Bible is God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16) and that apparent discrepancies deserve careful study.
1. The Texts in Question
- 2 Kings 22:14 (ESV): Huldah is “the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe.”
- 2 Chronicles 34:22 (ESV): Huldah is “the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe.”
The difference is in the names: Tikvah/Harhas (Kings) vs. Tokhath/Hasrah (Chronicles).
1. Ancient Naming Conventions and Transmission
In the ancient Near East, it was common for individuals to have more than one name or for names to be spelled differently in various records. This is seen elsewhere in Scripture (compare Matthew 1:7–8 with 1 Chronicles 3:10–12 for variant spellings of royal names). Variations can arise from:
- Transliteration differences (Hebrew to Greek/Aramaic, or even within Hebrew dialects)
- Copyist variations over centuries of manuscript transmission
- Family names or titles being used interchangeably
2. Genealogical Gaps and Selectivity
Biblical genealogies often skip generations or use different ancestors to highlight particular lines. The chronicler may have chosen to highlight a different ancestor or used a variant form of the name. This does not indicate error, but rather reflects the flexibility in ancient genealogical recording.
3. Textual Transmission and Copyist Variants
The Old Testament was copied by hand for centuries. Minor variations in names are well-documented and do not affect the core message or doctrines of Scripture. The difference between Tikvah/Tokhath and Harhas/Hasrah is a matter of a few letters in Hebrew, which could easily be altered in transmission. Importantly, these differences do not change the identity of Huldah or her role.
4. Theological and Historical Consistency
Both accounts agree on the essential facts:
- Huldah was a prophetess in Jerusalem
- She was married to Shallum, the keeper of the wardrobe
- She was consulted during King Josiah’s reforms
The minor differences in ancestral names do not undermine the historical or theological reliability of the account.
Biblical Examples and Principles
- Apparent Contradictions Are Not New:
The Bible itself acknowledges that some things are “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16), but this does not mean they are errors. - God’s Word Is Trustworthy:
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). - Context and Genre Matter:
Chronicles and Kings were written for different audiences and purposes, which can explain minor variations.
Conclusion
The differences in the names in 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22 are best understood as minor textual or genealogical variations, common in ancient records. They do not affect the integrity or message of the biblical text. The core truth remains: Huldah was a faithful prophetess who spoke God’s word during a crucial time in Israel’s history (see 2 Chronicles 34:22–28; 2 Kings 22:14–20).
Scripture References:
2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
2 Kings 22:14: “So Hilkiah the priest…went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas…”
2 Chronicles 34:22: “So Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah…”