Statement
The earliest stages of the canon may predate the Exile. According to 2 Kings 22 and 23, during the reign of Josiah (640 to 609 BCE) a long-lost Torah of Moses was found during Temple repairs, setting out the commands the people had to follow to keep their covenant with God. Josiah realizes they have been violated and launches a major religious reform, suppressing idolatrous practices.
Tradition or narrativeHigh certainty✓ Verified
References
p. 47
supports · main text · ch. 2
Efron, Lehmann and Weitzman. The Jews: A History. 3rd edition. New York and Abingdon: Routledge, 2019.
Verification anchor recorded · checked against the page text
Scholarly debate
What was the scroll found in Josiah's reign?
2 positions · no single answer · take a seat →
- A
A forgotten Torah of Moses
The account of 2 Kings 22 and 23
During Temple repairs a long-lost Torah of Moses was found, setting out the commands of the covenant; Josiah sees they have been violated and launches a major reform.
- B
Deuteronomy and a staged 'rediscovery'
Modern scholars
The scroll would be Deuteronomy and its rediscovery a ruse by the king to pass a newly composed law book off as an ancient text of Moses.