Heb. mishneh. Literally, “second,” that is, “second part” or “second quarter.” The reference is probably to the new or outer city—the expansion of Jerusalem to the north of the old city, which had been enclosed by the wall of Manasseh (2 Chron. 33:14; cf. Zeph. 1:10, where mishneh is translated “second”). According to Neh. 3:9, 12, there were two “half” parts of Jerusalem. The translation “college” is the rendering of the Targums, which take mishneh in the sense of the later Mishnah, “instruction,” from the idea “to repeat,” hence “to teach” and “to learn.”

Shallum, the husband of Huldah, had charge of either the vestments of the priests in the Temple or the royal wardrobe. Either office would make him a personage of some importance.

 A number of prophets were active during the reign of Josiah. Jeremiah was already engaged in his important work (Jer. 1:2). Habakkuk and Zephaniah also prophesied during the reign of Josiah (Zeph. 1:1; PK 384, 385, 389). No reason is given as to why Huldah was selected for the present interview. Among the prophetesses mentioned in the Bible are Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8, 9).