King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 36:19 Mean?

“And 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.”

Context

Therefore 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.

And 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.

And 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.

And 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: them: Heb. the remainder from the sword

To 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.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **They burnt the house of God.**—2Kings 25:9. **Brake down the wall** **. . .**—Jeremiah 39:8; 2Kings 25:9-10. **And destroyed all the goodly vessels.**—Literally, *And all her delightsome vessels were for destroying* (*lĕhashchîth*)*.* (Comp. Isaiah 64:11): “all our pleasant things are laid waste.” 2Kings 25:13 speaks of the breaking-up of the great vessels of the Temple, for the sake of carrying off their material more easily. **Servants to him and his sons . . . kingdom Of Persia.**—A fulfilment of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Nebuchadnezzar: “And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the time of his own land come” (Jeremiah 27:7). Comp. also Isaiah’s word to Hezekiah (2Kings 20:18.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 36:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.