2 Chronicles 36:22 kjv
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,
2 Chronicles 36:22 nkjv
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
2 Chronicles 36:22 niv
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
2 Chronicles 36:22 esv
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:
2 Chronicles 36:22 nlt
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:
2 Chronicles 36 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 36:23 | "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth…'" | Continuation of Cyrus's decree. |
| Ezra 1:1 | "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia…" | Near-identical parallel, starting the book of Ezra. |
| Ezra 1:2-4 | "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms…'" | Cyrus's full decree regarding the temple. |
| Jer 25:11-12 | "This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years… Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon…" | Prophecy of 70-year exile. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you, in bringing you back to this place." | Prophecy of restoration after 70 years. |
| Isa 44:28 | "who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'" | Prophecy naming Cyrus specifically. |
| Isa 45:1 | "Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him…" | Cyrus called God's "anointed" (Messiah), used as a divine instrument. |
| Isa 45:13 | "I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward,' says the Lord of hosts." | God's purpose for Cyrus's actions. |
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." | God's ultimate control over earthly kingdoms. |
| Dan 5:21 | "until he learned that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will." | Reinforces God's sovereignty over kings, seen in Daniel's ministry. |
| Neh 2:8 | "And a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams…" | Later Persian king (Artaxerxes) also moved to assist Jewish rebuilding. |
| Hag 1:14 | "And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel… and the spirit of Joshua… and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God…" | God stirring up hearts for rebuilding. |
| Zech 1:16 | "Therefore thus says the Lord, 'I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it…'" | Prophecy of temple rebuilding after the return. |
| Ps 103:19 | "The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." | Statement of God's universal sovereignty. |
| Isa 55:11 | "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose…" | Truth of God's unfailing word. |
| Matt 5:18 | "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." | Jesus affirms the complete fulfillment of God's word. |
| Rom 9:17 | "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you…'" | God uses even unbelieving rulers for His purposes. | Lev 26:44-45 | "Yet even then, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly…" | God's promise not to forsake His covenant people completely during exile. |
| Deut 30:3-5 | "then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you." | Promise of restoration from exile. |
| Jer 32:44 | "Fields will be bought for money, and deeds will be signed and sealed and witnessed in the land of Benjamin and in the places around Jerusalem…" | Prophecy of economic restoration in the land. |
2 Chronicles 36 verses
2 Chronicles 36 22 Meaning
This verse marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, announcing the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of Israel's return to their land. It states that in the very first year of his reign, King Cyrus of Persia, moved by God, issued a decree allowing the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord. The verse explicitly attributes this action to the fulfillment of the Lord's prophetic word spoken through Jeremiah.
2 Chronicles 36 22 Context
2 Chronicles 36 concludes the Chronicler's history of Israel from Adam to the Babylonian exile, providing a theological interpretation of events. Verses 15-21 detail Judah's persistent sin, their rejection of God's prophets, and the subsequent divine judgment resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem and the 70-year exile in Babylon, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy. This verse (2 Chronicles 36:22) then abruptly shifts from judgment to a powerful note of hope and divine faithfulness, acting as a crucial bridge, linking the end of the Chronicler's narrative with the beginning of the book of Ezra, which directly details the return. Historically, it marks the transition from the Neo-Babylonian Empire (which conquered Judah) to the Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, a foreign power chosen by God to execute His redemptive plan.
2 Chronicles 36 22 Word analysis
- Now: (Hebrew: וּבִשְׁנַת, ūvišnat) A common conjunction, acting as a chronological and narrative marker, signaling a new, significant development following the preceding account of exile.
- in the first year of Cyrus: (Hebrew: הָרִאשׁוֹנָה לְכוֹרֶשׁ, hārî’šônāh lĕKôreš) Specifies a precise historical moment, underscoring the timing and historical reliability. "Cyrus" (כּוֹרֶשׁ - Kōreš) is a non-Israelite king, specifically chosen and even named in prophecies (Isa 44:28, 45:1) long before his birth, highlighting God's pre-knowledge and control over world empires. His first year is historically around 539-538 BC, after conquering Babylon.
- king of Persia: (מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס, melek Pāras) Identifies Cyrus's domain, signifying the transition of global power from Babylon to Persia, under God's sovereign hand. This empire would be instrumental in facilitating the return and rebuilding.
- that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished: (לִכְלוֹת דְּבַר יְהוָה מִפִּי יִרְמְיָהוּ, liḵlôṯ dĕbar Yahweh mippî Yirmĕyāhû) This phrase explicitly connects the historical event directly to divine prophecy. "The word of the Lord" (דְּבַר יְהוָה - dĕbar Yahweh) emphasizes God's active, living word. "Spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah" refers to specific prophecies concerning the 70-year exile and subsequent return (Jer 25:11-12, 29:10). "Might be accomplished" (לִכְלוֹת - liḵlôṯ, to complete/fulfill) signifies God's faithfulness and absolute sovereignty; His word is always fulfilled.
- the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia: (הֵעִיר יְהוָה אֶת־רוּחַ כּוֹרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס, hē'îr Yahweh ’eṯ-rûaḥ Kōreš melek Pāras) "The Lord" (יהוה - Yahweh) identifies the active agent as the covenant God of Israel. "Stirred up" (עוּר - 'ûr, literally "to awaken," "to arouse") implies a direct, sovereign divine impulse upon Cyrus's will. God sovereignly moves even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His ultimate authority over human leaders and nations (Prov 21:1, Dan 2:21). This is a theological interpretation of historical events.
- so that he made a proclamation: (וַיַּעֲבֶר קוֹל, vayya‘ăḇer qôl) "Proclamation" (קוֹל - qôl, "voice," "sound," here signifying an audible decree). This signifies an official, publicly declared decree originating from the king's authority.
- throughout all his kingdom: (בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתוֹ, bĕḵāl-malḵûṯô) Highlights the vast geographical reach and universal authority of Cyrus's decree, affecting all scattered exiles under his rule, ensuring the opportunity for return.
- and also put it in writing: (וְגַם בְּמִכְתָּב, vĕgam bĕmikhtāḇ) "In writing" (מִכְתָּב - mikhtāv, "written document"). This confirms the decree's official, durable, and binding nature, making it universally accessible and legally enforceable.
- saying: (לֵאמֹר, lē’mōr) Introduces the content of the proclamation, which follows in the next verse.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia": Establishes precise historical dating, setting the event in a definable secular historical timeline while anchoring it firmly within God's larger redemptive narrative.
- "that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished": This clause serves as the theological linchpin. It explicitly states the raison d'être for Cyrus's actions: not his own ambition, but the fulfillment of divine prophecy. It underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises despite human disobedience.
- "the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia": This is a direct declaration of divine sovereignty. It demonstrates that God orchestrates history, influencing even the hearts and decisions of pagan rulers to serve His plans for His people. It counteracts any notion that Judah's return was merely a political chance, emphasizing God's direct intervention.
- "so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing": Describes the mechanism of God's plan through human means. The verbal proclamation ensured immediate dissemination, and the written form guaranteed its authority, permanence, and reach across a vast empire.
2 Chronicles 36 22 Bonus section
This verse (2 Chron 36:22) is nearly identical to Ezra 1:1, a rare and significant overlap that underscores its importance as a hinge-point in biblical history and literature. The repetition serves to connect the end of the Historical Books in the Old Testament with the beginning of the post-exilic narrative. It is considered a literary bridge, indicating continuity and showing God's overarching plan connecting judgment and exile with restoration and return. This thematic link solidifies the Chronicler's theological message: that even after divine judgment, God remains faithful to His covenant and His word. The 70-year fulfillment is precise, emphasizing divine timekeeping in historical events.
2 Chronicles 36 22 Commentary
2 Chronicles 36:22 is a beacon of hope at the close of a somber historical narrative. After detailing Judah's descent into idolatry, their rejection of prophetic warnings, and the subsequent devastating judgment of exile, this verse immediately transitions to the Lord's redemptive work. It demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness even when His people are faithless, meticulously fulfilling His prophetic word concerning the 70-year captivity through Jeremiah. The pivotal detail is that God Himself "stirred up" the spirit of Cyrus, a foreign king, to initiate the return. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty not only over Israel but over all nations and their rulers, using them as instruments to accomplish His purposes. The proclamation, made both orally and in writing, ensured its broad dissemination and authority, facilitating the exiles' journey home and the temple's rebuilding, as detailed in the subsequent book of Ezra. This verse, mirrored closely in Ezra 1:1, beautifully illustrates that God always has the final word, a word of hope and restoration even after judgment. It serves as a reminder that God's plans for His people will be accomplished, regardless of political changes or human failures.