King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 36:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 36:21 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 36:21 · KJV

Context

19

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.

20

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

21

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.

22

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,

23

Thus 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.

Read 2 Chronicles 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Persistent rebellion bringing covenant curses; hope of restoration. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לְמַלֹּ֖אות1 of 17

“To fulfil”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

דְּבַר2 of 17

“the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָה֙3 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּפִ֣י4 of 17

“by the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ5 of 17

“of Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

עַד6 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

רָֽצְתָ֥ה7 of 17

“had enjoyed”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

הָאָ֖רֶץ8 of 17

“until the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶת9 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שַׁבְּתוֹתֶ֑יהָ10 of 17

“her sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

כָּל11 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֤י12 of 17

“for as long as”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָשַּׁמָּה֙13 of 17

“she lay desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

שָׁבָ֔תָה14 of 17

“she kept sabbath”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

לְמַלֹּ֖אות15 of 17

“To fulfil”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

שִׁבְעִ֥ים16 of 17

“threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

שָׁנָֽה׃17 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

Study Guide

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 36:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 36:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 29:10Leviticus 26:34-35Daniel 9:2Zechariah 1:12Jeremiah 25:11-12Leviticus 26:43

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