Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Read it in contextThe End of the Kingdom of Judah and the Decree of Cyrus
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 36:1 (2 Chronicles 36:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:23).
This unit covers the final kings of Judah, their wickedness, the Babylonian captivity, the desolation of the land, and the decree of Cyrus that ends the exile and allows for return and rebuilding.
36:1Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.
36:2Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
36:3And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
36:4And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
36:5Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.
36:6Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
36:7Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
36:8Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
36:9Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
36:10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
36:11Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
36:12And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
36:13And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.
36:14Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
36:15And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
36:17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
36:18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.
36:19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
36:20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
36:21To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
36:22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
36:23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 36:1–36:23): Judah's last kings and people, Babylonian rulers, and finally Cyrus are the participants in the collapse, exile, and proclamation of return. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is the LORD stirring up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, to issue a proclamation throughout his kingdom. This proclamation, also put in writing, allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the LORD, thus accomplishing the word spoken by Jeremiah.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His absolute sovereignty over kings and nations, using even a pagan ruler like Cyrus to fulfill His prophetic word spoken through Jeremiah. He demonstrates His faithfulness to His promises, bringing an end to the seventy years of desolation and initiating the restoration of His people and their worship.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history, recounting the events leading to the end of the Babylonian captivity and the beginning of the return to Jerusalem.
When
When was it written? The book of 2 Chronicles was written between approximately 450 and 425 B.C.
When does the event take place? The event takes place in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, which historically is around 538 B.C., marking the end of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity.
Where
Where did it happen? The proclamation was made throughout Cyrus's kingdom, which was the Persian Empire. The ultimate destination for the returning exiles and the place for rebuilding the temple was Jerusalem, in Judah.
Where was the author located? The author of 2 Chronicles was located in Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The End of the Kingdom of Judah and the Decree of Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:23).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 36:1. This unit covers the final kings of Judah, their wickedness, the Babylonian captivity, the desolation of the land, and the decree of Cyrus that ends the exile and allows for return and rebuilding.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as the concluding statement of 2 Chronicles, bringing the history of Judah to a close with the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the seventy years of desolation and the subsequent return from exile. It transitions from God's judgment on His people to His mercy and faithfulness in restoring them to their land and allowing the rebuilding of the temple. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? God's faithfulness to His prophetic word, even after a period of severe judgment and exile, points to His ultimate faithfulness in sending Christ as the fulfillment of all His promises. Just as God sovereignly used Cyrus to restore His people to their land and rebuild the physical temple, He sovereignly sent Christ to bring spiritual restoration and build His spiritual temple, the church, through His atoning work and resurrection. This demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly rulers and events, working His will even through those who may not acknowledge Him. His word is utterly reliable and will always be accomplished, no matter how long it takes or how dire circumstances may seem. We can trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, even when facing periods of discipline or difficulty, knowing that He always has a plan for restoration and hope. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 36
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Jerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Jerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.