2 Chronicles 36: The last kings of Judah, the burning of the house, and Cyrus's decree
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
The people of the land make Jehoahaz king, but the king of Egypt removes him after three months, fines the land, and makes his brother Eliakim king with the new name Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon binds Jehoiakim, takes vessels of Yahweh's house to Babylon, and later takes Jehoiachin and makes Zedekiah king. Zedekiah, the priests and the people turn from Yahweh and mock his messengers, and the Chaldeans burn God's house, break down Jerusalem's wall, and the survivors are taken to Babylon, where they serve until the kingdom of Persia. The land rests to complete seventy years. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Yahweh stirs Cyrus to proclaim that he is to build Yahweh a house in Jerusalem and that any of Yahweh's people may go up.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. The only words quoted are in verse 23, where Cyrus king of Persia speaks in his proclamation, saying that Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given him the kingdoms of the earth and appointed him to build a house. Those are Cyrus's words. Verses 21 and 22 mention Yahweh's word by the mouth of Jeremiah, and verse 15 says Yahweh sent messengers, but no words of Yahweh are quoted. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
Good to know: This Bible spells the king's name "Jehoahaz" in and "Joahaz" in this verse and in . The Hebrew words are not the same spelling. Verse 2 gives the name to the son of Josiah whom the people of the land made king, and verse 4 gives it to the brother of Eliakim whom Neco took to Egypt. gives the same age and the same three months.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3The king of Egypt removed him from office at Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
In plain English: The king of Egypt removed him at Jerusalem (or: from being king in Jerusalem) and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4The king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
In plain English: The king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Jehoahaz his brother and brought him to Egypt.
Good to know: The king of Egypt changes Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. The text does not say why. says the same and adds that Jehoahaz "came to Egypt and died there".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight.
In plain English: Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh his God.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.
In plain English: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him and bound him in bronze fetters to take him to Babylon.
Good to know: The verse says Nebuchadnezzar bound Jehoiakim "to carry him to Babylon". It does not say whether he arrived. says "Jehoiakim slept with his fathers". The text does not explain how these fit.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the vessels of Yahweh’s house to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
In plain English: Nebuchadnezzar also brought some of the articles of Yahweh's house to Babylon and put them in his temple (or: palace) in Babylon.
The Hebrew word: "Temple" is heykal, which the dictionary gives as "a large public building, such as a palace or temple". This Bible says "temple" or a longer form in 62 of the 76 verses that use it and "palace" or a longer form in 11. The word-by-word meaning given for this verse is "palace".
What changes: Read as "temple", Nebuchadnezzar put the vessels in the house of his god. Read as "palace", he put them in his own great house. The text does not say which.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
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 place.
In plain English: Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations that he did, and what was found on him (this Bible: in him), look, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son became king in his place.
Good to know: "The book of the kings of Israel and Judah" is named also in and . "What was found in him" is word for word "what was found on him". The text does not say what was found.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight.
In plain English: Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh.
Good to know: This verse says Jehoiachin was eight years old and reigned three months and ten days. says he was eighteen and reigned three months. The text does not explain the differences.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10At the return of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the valuable vessels of Yahweh’s house, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
In plain English: At the return (or: turn) of the year King Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the valuable articles of Yahweh's house, and made Zedekiah his brother (or: relative) king over Judah and Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word: "Brother" is ach, which the dictionary gives as "a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father))". This Bible says "brother" or a longer form in 527 of the 572 verses that use it and "relative" or a longer form in 28. The word-by-word meaning given for this verse is "relative".
Good to know: calls Zedekiah, whose first name there is Mattaniah, "Jehoiachin's father's brother". This verse says only that Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah king.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from Yahweh’s mouth.
In plain English: He did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In plain English: He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning back to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14Moreover all the chiefs of the priests and the people trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted Yahweh’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Also all the leaders of the priests and the people were very unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations, and they made Yahweh's house unclean, which he had made holy in Jerusalem.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Yahweh, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place;
In plain English: Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, sent to them by his messengers (see the note), rising early and sending, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.
The Hebrew word: "Messengers" is malak, which the dictionary gives as "a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)". This Bible says "messenger" or a longer form in 92 of the 196 verses that use it and "angel" or a longer form in 101. In the same word is in "the messengers of God", next to "his prophets".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16but they mocked the messengers of God, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people, until there was no remedy.
In plain English: But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and making fun of his prophets, until Yahweh's anger rose against his people, until there was no healing.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17Therefore he brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm. He gave them all into his hand.
In plain English: So he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or young woman (or: virgin), old man or frail. He gave everyone into his hand.
Good to know: The king is not named in this verse. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is named in verses 6, 7, 10 and 13. "Chaldeans" is Kasdiy, which the dictionary gives as "a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean". This Bible says "Chaldean" or a longer form in 69 of the 80 verses that use it.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18All the vessels of God’s house, great and small, and the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon.
In plain English: All the articles of God's house, great and small, and the treasures of Yahweh's house, and the treasures of the king and of his officials, all of these he brought to Babylon.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19They burned God’s house, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all of its valuable vessels.
In plain English: They burned God's house, pulled down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its valuable articles.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20He carried those who had escaped from the sword away to Babylon, and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia,
In plain English: He took into exile in Babylon those who were left from the sword, and they became slaves to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to reign,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21to fulfill Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. As long as it lay desolate, it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
In plain English: to fulfill Yahweh's word by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed (or: accepted) its sabbaths. All the days it lay desolate it rested, to complete seventy years.
Good to know: The verse says the exile was "to fulfill Yahweh's word by the mouth of Jeremiah" and "to complete seventy years". says "these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years", and says "After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon". says "the land will enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate". This verse does not say when the seventy years begin or end.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
In plain English: In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill Yahweh's word by the mouth of Jeremiah, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he sent a proclamation through all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23“Cyrus king of Persia says, ‘Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, Yahweh his God be with him, and let him go up.’”
In plain English: "Cyrus king of Persia says: Yahweh, the God of heaven (literally: the heavens), has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed (or: commanded) me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may Yahweh his God be with him, and let him go up."
Good to know: has nearly the same words as verse 22, and has Cyrus's decree in nearly the same words. The Hebrew of "has given me all the kingdoms of the earth" is in the same order in both books; only this Bible's English puts the words in a different order. Where this verse says "Yahweh his God be with him", Ezra 1:3 says "may his God be with him". In Ezra the decree goes on after "let him go up" with "to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh". Here the book ends with "let him go up".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.