King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 36:22 Mean?

2 Chronicles 36:22 in the King James Version says “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomp...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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
Chronicles' ending strikes hope: '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.' This demonstrates God's sovereign control over pagan kings to accomplish His promises. Jeremiah prophesied 70 years exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12); Cyrus's decree (539 BCE) fulfilled this precisely. The phrase 'stirred up the spirit' shows God's sovereign work in human hearts, even unregenerate rulers. This points to God's sovereignty over all earthly powers to accomplish redemptive purposes, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who brings the true return from exile.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return (538 BCE) demonstrated Persian policy of tolerance and restoration of local cults. Yet the Chronicler interprets this politically motivated decree as divine providence fulfilling prophetic word, showing God works through natural means while maintaining sovereign purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereign control over Cyrus encourage trust in His ability to use any circumstance or person for His purposes?
  2. Where do you need to trust that God can 'stir up spirits' - change hearts - to accomplish His will in seemingly impossible situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת1 of 24

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אַחַ֗ת2 of 24

“Now in the first”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ3 of 24

“of Cyrus”

H3566

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

פָּרַ֔ס5 of 24

“of Persia”

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

לִכְל֥וֹת6 of 24

“might be accomplished”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

דְּבַר7 of 24

“that the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֗ה8 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּפִ֣י9 of 24

“spoken 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

יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ10 of 24

“of Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הֵעִ֣יר11 of 24

“stirred up”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֗ה12 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת13 of 24
H853

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

ר֙וּחַ֙14 of 24

“the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ15 of 24

“of Cyrus”

H3566

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מֶֽלֶךְ16 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

פָּרַ֔ס17 of 24

“of Persia”

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

וַיַּֽעֲבֶר18 of 24

“that he made a proclamation”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

קוֹל֙19 of 24
H6963

a voice or sound

בְּכָל20 of 24
H3605

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

מַלְכוּת֔וֹ21 of 24

“throughout all his kingdom”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וְגַם22 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב23 of 24

“and put it also in writing”

H4385

a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem)

לֵאמֹֽר׃24 of 24

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 36:22 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 36:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:12Ezra 1:1-3Jeremiah 29:10Isaiah 44:28-45:52 Chronicles 36:21Jeremiah 33:10-14

Places in This Verse

PersiaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E27 verses across 5 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 36 →

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