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622

Events

King Josiah of Judah takes the radical reform of its ancestor Hezekiah and promulgates the Deuteronomy. It removes all traces of foreign cults, destroyed the high places and shrines other than Jerusalem ( Bethel ) and calls on Israel North to come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover. Taking advantage of the collapse of the Assyrian empire ( -612 ), he extended his political control over part of the ancient kingdom of Israel (southern Samaria ) and the Philistine coast, probably taking its service Greek mercenaries (Kittim).

Josiah ordered the repair of the temple of Jerusalem.
Drafting of Deuteronomy from a roll Hilqiyyahou discovered by the priest during construction of the temple, told Shaphan, the scribe of the king. He recalls the Alliance entered by Moses , forbids worship outside the Temple of Jerusalem and lists a series of laws (forbidden foods, taxation, parties, civil crimes, punishment, warfare ...). He promises the curse and the dispersion of the nation by a foreign power if the laws of Yahweh are not enforced.