1. Name and Meaning
• Name: Josiah (Hebrew: יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, Yōʾšiyyāhû)
• Meaning: “The Lord supports” or “Yahweh heals,” reflecting divine favour and restoration

2. Genealogical Placement and Lineage Role
• Position: Forty-sixth generation from Adam; thirty-sixth generation after the flood in the Messianic line
• Father: Amon – a wicked king of Judah
• Sons: Jehoiakim (skipped in Matthew’s genealogy), Jehoahaz, Zedekiah; the Messianic line in Matthew continues through Jeconiah, Josiah’s grandson
• Lineage Role: Sixteenth king of Judah; a righteous reformer who revived covenantal faith and preserved the Davidic line before the Babylonian exile

3. Life Summary and Historical Setting
• Became king at age 8 and reigned 31 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 22:1)
• Instituted sweeping religious reforms: tore down high places, destroyed idols, and restored temple worship (2 Kings 23)
• Rediscovered the Book of the Law during temple repairs and led national repentance (2 Kings 22:8–13)
• Celebrated Passover with great zeal, unlike any since the time of the Judges (2 Chronicles 35:18)
• Died in battle at Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho, despite prophetic warnings (2 Kings 23:29)

4. Theological and Christological Significance
• Represents the ideal Davidic king—faithful, humble, and reform-minded
• His reverence for Scripture and covenant obedience prefigure Christ’s own fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets
• Though not the final fulfilment of the Messianic hope, Josiah’s kingship pointed forward to Jesus as the true righteous King
• His reforms delayed Judah’s judgment, demonstrating the power of repentance within redemptive history

5. Legacy and Interpretive Reflections
• Praised as one of the most godly and reforming kings in Judah’s history (2 Kings 23:25)
• Became a model of obedience to the covenant and leadership shaped by Scripture
• His untimely death grieved the nation (2 Chronicles 35:24–25); Jeremiah lamented him
• Included in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:10–11), underscoring the righteous heritage that culminates in Christ

6. Summary Insight
• Josiah exemplified covenantal faithfulness and spiritual revival—his life foreshadowed Christ’s perfect kingship, rooted in truth, humility, and obedience.

7. Biblical References
• 2 Kings 22–23
• 2 Chronicles 34–35
• Jeremiah 22:15–16
• Matthew 1:10–11