King of Judah, 641-610 B.C. (see 2 Kgs. 22 - 24; 2 Chr. 34 - 35). While still young, he made, under the guidance of Hilkiah, a thorough religious reformation, which extended to the northern tribes. He restored the temple, destroyed idolatrous images and the high places, put down the idolatrous priests, and celebrated a great Passover (2 Kgs. 23: 21-23). During this reformation a book of the law was found by Hilkiah (2 Kgs. 22: 8 f.; 2 Chr. 34: 15 f.). It made at once a great impression, and led to the centralizing of all sacrificial worship at Jerusalem and the abolition of local idolatrous sanctuaries in the war between Assyria and Egypt, and, though Pharaoh-Neco disclaimed enmity, Josiah met him in battle at Megiddo and was defeated and slain (2 Chr. 35: 20-25; see also 2 Kgs. 23: 29-30; Jer. 22: 10-12, 18; Zech. 12: 11).

Son of Zephaniah (Zech. 6: 10).