King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 36:23 Mean?

2 Chronicles 36:23 in the King James Version says “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 36:23 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Chronicles' final verse records Cyrus's proclamation: '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.' This remarkable ending - a Persian king acknowledging YHWH as 'God of heaven' with universal sovereignty - demonstrates God's glory reaching the nations. The invitation 'let him go up' reverses the exile's 'going down' to Babylon. Ending with this hopeful, incomplete sentence points readers forward - the story continues beyond Chronicles, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who brings ultimate restoration and builds the eternal temple (the church).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This decree (538 BCE) initiated the return under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The Chronicler ends here (though chronologically Ezra-Nehemiah continue the narrative) to emphasize hope - God's promises endure beyond judgment. The incomplete sentence stylistically drives readers to participate in the ongoing story.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the invitation 'let him go up' speak to your own journey of spiritual return to God and His purposes?
  2. What does it mean that God's story continues beyond Scripture's final page, with you participating in His ongoing kingdom work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
כּֽה1 of 30
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֞ר2 of 30

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ׀3 of 30

Cyrus

H3566

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ4 of 30

king

H4428

a king

פָּרַ֗ס5 of 30

of Persia

H6539

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

כָּל6 of 30
H3605

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

מַמְלְכ֤וֹת7 of 30

All the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙8 of 30

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נָ֣תַן9 of 30

given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִ֗י10 of 30
H0
יְהוָ֧ה11 of 30

The LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֛יו12 of 30

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם13 of 30

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְהֽוּא14 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

פָקַ֤ד15 of 30

me and he hath charged

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עָלַי֙16 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבְנֽוֹת17 of 30

me to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

ל֣וֹ18 of 30
H0
בַ֔יִת19 of 30

him an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם20 of 30

in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֲשֶׁ֣ר21 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה22 of 30

which is in Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

מִֽי23 of 30
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָכֶ֣ם24 of 30
H0
מִכָּל25 of 30
H3605

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

עַמּ֗וֹ26 of 30

Who is there among you of all his people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יְהוָ֧ה27 of 30

The LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֛יו28 of 30

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עִמּ֖וֹ29 of 30
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְיָֽעַל׃30 of 30

be with him and let him go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative


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 36:23 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 36:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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