Question

Why was Josiah’s death in 609 depicted as the proverbial “beginning of the end” for the kingdom of Judah?


because he didn’t rebel against Neco II


because he was the first wicked king of Judah


because he was the last righteous king of Judah


because he was loyal to Nebuchadnezzar II

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Josiah’s death in 609 BCE is often depicted as the proverbial "beginning of the end" for the kingdom of Judah primarily **because he was the last righteous king of Judah**. His reign was marked by significant religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh. After his death, the kingdom fell into a period of instability, with subsequent kings often engaging in idolatry and rebellion against God, leading to the ultimate downfall and exile of Judah. This shift from Josiah's piety to the actions of his successors contributed to the idea that his death marked the start of Judah's decline.