Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling dek oor die algemeen die groter geheel van die Monargale Tydvak in die geskiedenis van Israel en Juda. Daar word egter meer spesifiek gefokus op die koningskap van Josia, `n merkwaardige koning van Juda, en sy godsdienstige hervormings wat van stapel gestuur is na aanleiding van die vonds van die wetboek in die Tempel. Die verhaal van Josia word geskets teen die agtergrond van die politieke klimaat in die antieke Nabye Ooste voor- en tydens sy koningskap. Aandag word dus gegee aan ander nasies en die invloed wat hulle op Juda gehad het. Daar word ook gekyk na daardie profete wat moontlik `n invloed op Josia kon gehad het, hetsy profete wat aktief was tydens sy koningskap of in die jare onmiddellik daarvoor. Laastens word ook na die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis gekyk ten einde die moontlike verband daarvan met Josia en sy hervormings te bepaal / This dissertation covers, in generaL the topic of the Monarchial Period in the history of Israel. More specific attention is given to Josiah. a remarkable king of Judah, and his program of religious refonn, that was set in motion with the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. The story of Josiah is told against the background of the political climate in the ancient Near East prior to and also during Josiah's reign. Other nations and their influence on Judah is carefully considered in this regard. Attention is also given to those prophets that could possibly have influenced Josiah. Some of these prophets were active during Josiah's reign and others in the years preceding his reign. Lastly the Deuteronomistic History is considered to determine the possible links to Josiah and his refonn program / Old Testament / M.Th. (Old Testament)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling dek oor die algemeen die groter geheel van die Monargale Tydvak in die geskiedenis van Israel en Juda. Daar word egter meer spesifiek gefokus op die koningskap van Josia, `n merkwaardige koning van Juda, en sy godsdienstige hervormings wat van stapel gestuur is na aanleiding van die vonds van die wetboek in die Tempel. Die verhaal van Josia word geskets teen die agtergrond van die politieke klimaat in die antieke Nabye Ooste voor- en tydens sy koningskap. Aandag word dus gegee aan ander nasies en die invloed wat hulle op Juda gehad het. Daar word ook gekyk na daardie profete wat moontlik `n invloed op Josia kon gehad het, hetsy profete wat aktief was tydens sy koningskap of in die jare onmiddellik daarvoor. Laastens word ook na die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis gekyk ten einde die moontlike verband daarvan met Josia en sy hervormings te bepaal / This dissertation covers, in generaL the topic of the Monarchial Period in the history of Israel. More specific attention is given to Josiah. a remarkable king of Judah, and his program of religious refonn, that was set in motion with the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. The story of Josiah is told against the background of the political climate in the ancient Near East prior to and also during Josiah's reign. Other nations and their influence on Judah is carefully considered in this regard. Attention is also given to those prophets that could possibly have influenced Josiah. Some of these prophets were active during Josiah's reign and others in the years preceding his reign. Lastly the Deuteronomistic History is considered to determine the possible links to Josiah and his refonn program / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.Th. (Old Testament)