Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah 1Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. 2Jehoahaza was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. 3And the king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem and imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silverb and a talent of gold.c 4Then Neco king of Egypt made Eliakim brother of Jehoahaz king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt. Jehoiakim Reigns in Judah 5Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. 6Then Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jehoiakim and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon. 7Nebuchadnezzar also took to Babylon some of the articles from the house of the LORD, and he put them in his templed in Babylon. 8As for the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations he committed, and all that was found against him, they are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. And his son Jehoiachin reigned in his place. Jehoiachin Reigns in Judah 9Jehoiachin was eighteene years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 10In the spring,f King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiachin and brought him to Babylon, along with the articles of value from the house of the LORD. And he made Jehoiachin’s relativeg Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah Reigns in Judah 11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. 12And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. 13He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardenedh his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. 14Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. The Fall of Jerusalem 15Again and againi the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. 16But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. 17So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans,j who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, 18who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. 19Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. 20Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah.k The Proclamation of Cyrus 22In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: 23“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” Footnotes: 2 a Hebrew Joahaz, a variant of Jehoahaz; also in verse 4 3 b 100 talents is approximately 3.77 tons or 3.42 metric tons of silver. 3 c A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold. 7 d Or palace 9 e One Hebrew manuscript, some LXX manuscripts, and Syriac (see also 2 Kings 24:8); most Hebrew manuscripts eight 10 f Literally At the turn of the year 10 g Or brother or uncle 13 h Or made strong or made courageous 15 i Literally Rising up early and sending (it), 17 j That is, the Babylonians; also clarified in verse 19 21 k See Jeremiah 25:12 and Jeremiah 29:10. Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub  2 Chronicles 36 Summary The Fall of JerusalemVerses 1–4 – Jehoahaz: A Brief, Tragic Reign Verses 5–8 – Jehoiakim: Eleven Years of Rebellion Verses 9–10 – Jehoiachin: The Exile of the Young King Verses 11–16 – Zedekiah: Stiff-Necked to the End Verses 17–21 – Jerusalem Falls and the Land Rests Seventy Years Verses 22–23 – Cyrus’ Decree: Dawn after Darkness 2 Chronicles 36 brings to a close the Chronicles account of the Kings of Judah, marking the culmination of centuries of leadership, faith, disobedience, and ultimately, divine judgment. This chapter vividly describes the reigns of the last four kings of Judah, the Babylonian exile, and the prophetic restoration by Cyrus. Historical Setting and Political Upheaval • 609 BC—Josiah’s death removes Judah’s last strong bulwark against idolatry. • Carchemish (605 BC)—Babylon crushes Egypt and inherits Judah as vassal. • Three Babylonian incursions: 605 BC (Daniel 1:1-2), 597 BC (2 Kings 24:10-16), 586 BC (total destruction). Judah’s kings shift loyalty between two superpowers and pay the price. Profiles of the Final Four Kings of Judah • Jehoahaz—Popular but powerless; never returns from Egypt (Jeremiah 22:10-12). • Jehoiakim—Builds a palace with forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13-19); dies in disgrace (possibly tossed outside Jerusalem’s walls). • Jehoiachin—Exiled yet preserved; Babylonian ration tablets list “Yaukin king of Judah,” confirming Scripture. Released later (2 Kings 25:27-30), he keeps David’s line alive (Matthew 1:11-12). • Zedekiah—Last king, breaks covenant vows, blindsided—literally—after watching his sons slain (Jeremiah 39:6-7). Nebuchadnezzar and Babylonian Records Cuneiform “Babylonian Chronicles” detail the 597 BC siege: “He captured the city, seized its king, appointed a king of his own choosing.” The tablets align with 2 Chronicles 36 and 2 Kings 24. The Seventy Years and the Land’s Sabbaths Judah had ignored the every-seventh-year land rest (Leviticus 25:1-7). God tallies the overdue Sabbaths—roughly seventy over 490 years (cf. Daniel 9:2). From 605 BC to 536 BC the land lies mostly desolate, fulfilling both Jeremiah 25:11 and the agricultural law. Theological Themes: Patience, Judgment, and Hope 1. God warns repeatedly before He judges (36:15-16; 2 Peter 3:9). 2. Rebellion against God-appointed authority brings ruin (Romans 13:1-2). 3. Even in wrath, God preserves a remnant and a future (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 11:5). Prophetic Connections and Messianic Thread • Jeremiah 22:24-30 curses Jehoiachin’s line—yet Haggai 2:23 and Zerubbabel’s role in rebuilding the temple show God still using David’s descendants. Jesus, legally descended through Jeconiah but physically through Nathan (Luke 3), satisfies both judgment and promise. • Isaiah 44:28; 45:1 names Cyrus 150 years ahead, proving God’s rule over history. Comparison with 2 Kings 23:31 – 25:30 Kings gives political detail; Chronicles focuses on temple desecration and spiritual failure. Together they form a full picture: social injustice (Kings) plus religious apostasy (Chronicles) equal national collapse. Archaeological Notes • Jehoiachin Ration Tablets (Babylon): confirm his exile and royal status. • Lachish Letters: Ostraca written during the final siege show panic and failing defenses. • Cyrus Cylinder: Proclamation of repatriating captive peoples dovetails with 2 Chronicles 36:23 and Ezra 1:1-4. Practical Lessons for Today • Small compromises snowball—three short, evil reigns pave the way for catastrophe. • Breaking promises, even political ones, offends God (v 13; Psalm 15:4). • God always reserves the last word; worldly empires rise and fall at His command. • Hope is real: after judgment, restoration awaits those who return to Him. Key Cross-References Jer 25:11-12; 29:10 Lev 26:34-35 Deut 30:1-3 Isa 10:22; 44:28-45:1 Jer 52:1-34 Dan 1:1-2; 9:2 Rom 11:5 Connections to Additional Scriptures Jeremiah 25:11-12Prophecy of the seventy-year exile. Daniel 9:2 Daniel's understanding of the seventy years through Jeremiah's writings. Ezra 1:1-4 The fulfillment of Cyrus's decree and the return of the exiles. Teaching Points The Downfall of Judah's KingsJehoahaz's brief reign and captivity: Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father (2 Chronicles 36:1). His reign lasted only three months before Pharaoh Neco took him captive. Jehoiakim's reign and rebellion: Jehoiakim was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco, but he did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:5). Jehoiachin's short rule and exile: Jehoiachin reigned for three months and ten days before Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:9-10). Zedekiah's rebellion and the fall of Jerusalem: Zedekiah, the last king, also did evil and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet (2 Chronicles 36:12). The Role of Prophets and the People's Response Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people and their leaders continued in their disobedience (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). The Consequences of Disobedience The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple: He burned down the house of God, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:19). The exile to Babylon: The remnant of the people were carried away to Babylon, fulfilling God's warnings (2 Chronicles 36:20). Hope for Restoration The decree of Cyrus: In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia (2 Chronicles 36:22). This marked the beginning of the return from exile. Practical Applications Heed God's WarningsReflect on areas in your life where you may be ignoring God's guidance and seek to realign with His will. The Importance of Leadership Pray for and support leaders who seek to follow God's ways, recognizing the impact of leadership on a nation or community. Hope in God's Promises Even in times of personal or communal failure, trust in God's faithfulness to restore and redeem. People 1. JehoahazHe was the son of Josiah and became king of Judah after his father's death. His reign was short-lived, lasting only three months before he was deposed by the king of Egypt. The Hebrew root of his name, יְהוֹאָחָז (Yehō’āḥāz), means "Yahweh has grasped." 2. Neco Pharaoh Neco was the king of Egypt who deposed Jehoahaz and imposed a tribute on the land. He made Eliakim, another son of Josiah, king in place of Jehoahaz. 3. Eliakim/Jehoiakim Originally named Eliakim, he was renamed Jehoiakim by Pharaoh Neco when he was made king of Judah. He reigned for eleven years and did evil in the sight of the LORD. The name Jehoiakim, יְהוֹיָקִים (Yehōyāqîm), means "Yahweh raises up." 4. Nebuchadnezzar The king of Babylon who invaded Judah, took Jehoiakim captive, and later besieged Jerusalem. His name in Hebrew, נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nəḇūḵaḏneʾṣṣar), reflects his Babylonian origin. 5. Jehoiachin The son of Jehoiakim, he became king of Judah after his father's death. His reign lasted only three months and ten days before he was taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. His name, יְהוֹיָכִין (Yehōyāḵîn), means "Yahweh establishes." 6. Zedekiah Originally named Mattaniah, he was made king by Nebuchadnezzar and renamed Zedekiah. He was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile, reigning for eleven years. His name, צִדְקִיָּהוּ (Ṣiḏqiyyāhû), means "Yahweh is righteousness." 7. Jeremiah The prophet who warned Zedekiah and the people of Judah about the impending destruction due to their disobedience. His name, יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirməyāhû), means "Yahweh will exalt." Places 1. JerusalemJerusalem is the central city in 2 Chronicles 36, serving as the capital of Judah and the location of the Temple. It is where the kings of Judah reigned and where significant events, such as the Babylonian conquest, took place. The Hebrew root for Jerusalem is "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), meaning "foundation of peace." 2. Egypt Egypt is mentioned as the place where Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz and later installed Eliakim (Jehoiakim) as king. Egypt, in the biblical context, often represents a place of exile or foreign influence. The Hebrew name for Egypt is "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim). 3. Babylon Babylon is the empire that conquered Jerusalem and took the people of Judah into exile. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon played a significant role in the events of this chapter. The Hebrew name for Babylon is "בָּבֶל" (Bavel), which can mean "confusion" or "gate of the gods." 4. Chaldea Chaldea refers to the region of southern Mesopotamia, where the Chaldeans, a Semitic people, lived. They were part of the Babylonian Empire, and the term is often used interchangeably with Babylon. The Hebrew term is "כַּשְׂדִּים" (Kasdim). Events 1. Jehoahaz Becomes KingJehoahaz, the son of Josiah, is made king by the people of Judah after Josiah's death. He reigns for three months in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 36:1-2) 2. Jehoahaz is Deposed by Pharaoh Neco Pharaoh Neco of Egypt deposes Jehoahaz and imposes a tribute on the land. Jehoahaz is taken to Egypt, where he dies. (2 Chronicles 36:3-4) 3. Eliakim (Jehoiakim) is Made King Pharaoh Neco appoints Eliakim, another son of Josiah, as king and changes his name to Jehoiakim. He reigns for eleven years in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 36:4-5) 4. Jehoiakim's Reign and Rebellion Jehoiakim does evil in the sight of the LORD. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, comes against him, binds him in bronze shackles, and takes him to Babylon. (2 Chronicles 36:5-6) 5. Jehoiachin Becomes King Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, becomes king and reigns for three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He also does evil in the sight of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 36:9) 6. Jehoiachin is Taken to Babylon Nebuchadnezzar sends for Jehoiachin and brings him to Babylon, along with the treasures of the house of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 36:10) 7. Zedekiah is Made King Nebuchadnezzar appoints Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah reigns for eleven years. (2 Chronicles 36:11) 8. Zedekiah's Rebellion and the Fall of Jerusalem Zedekiah rebels against Nebuchadnezzar, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem. The Babylonians burn the house of God, break down the wall of Jerusalem, and take the people into exile. (2 Chronicles 36:12-19) 9. The Land Enjoys its Sabbaths The land of Judah lies desolate for seventy years, fulfilling the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, allowing the land to enjoy its Sabbaths. (2 Chronicles 36:21) 10. Cyrus' Proclamation In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, the LORD stirs his spirit to make a proclamation allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23) Topics 1. Reign of Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles 36:1-4)Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, is made king by the people of Judah. His reign is short-lived as Pharaoh Neco deposes him and imposes a tribute on the land. The Hebrew root for "deposed" (וַיַּסִּרֵהוּ, vayyasirehu) indicates a forceful removal, highlighting the political instability and external influence on Judah. 2. Reign of Jehoiakim (2 Chronicles 36:5-8) Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, is appointed king by Pharaoh Neco. His reign is marked by evil in the sight of the LORD, and he becomes a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The term "evil" (הָרַע, hara) in Hebrew underscores the moral and spiritual decline during his reign. 3. Reign of Jehoiachin (2 Chronicles 36:9-10) Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, ascends to the throne but reigns for only three months and ten days. He is taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, who also plunders the temple. The brevity of his reign and the plundering signify the deepening crisis for Judah. 4. Reign of Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:11-14) Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, is installed by Nebuchadnezzar. His reign is characterized by rebellion against Babylon and continued disobedience to God. The Hebrew word for "rebelled" (מָרַד, marad) reflects his defiance and the resulting consequences for Judah. 5. The Fall of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:15-21) The chronicler describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as a result of persistent disobedience and rejection of God's prophets. The Hebrew term for "compassion" (רַחֲמִים, rachamim) used in verse 15 emphasizes God's patience and mercy despite Judah's rebellion. 6. Cyrus' Proclamation (2 Chronicles 36:22-23) The chapter concludes with the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple. This marks the fulfillment of God's promise and the beginning of restoration. The Hebrew root for "stirred" (עוּר, ur) in verse 22 indicates divine intervention in moving Cyrus to act. Themes 1. Divine Judgment and Sovereignty2 Chronicles 36 highlights God's sovereignty and judgment over the nations, particularly Judah. The chapter recounts how God allowed the Babylonian conquest as a consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience. The Hebrew term "מֶלֶךְ" (melek), meaning "king," is used to emphasize God's control over earthly rulers, as seen in His dealings with Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. 2. Prophetic Fulfillment The chapter underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by God's messengers. Verses 15-16 describe how the people mocked God's prophets, leading to their downfall. The Hebrew word "נָבִיא" (navi), meaning "prophet," is central here, illustrating the role of prophets as God's mouthpieces. 3. Human Rebellion and Idolatry The narrative details the rebellion and idolatry of Judah's leaders and people, which led to their exile. The Hebrew root "מָעַל" (maal), meaning "to act unfaithfully," is reflected in the people's betrayal of their covenant with God, as seen in their worship of foreign gods. 4. God’s Patience and Mercy Despite Judah's repeated transgressions, God’s patience is evident as He continually sent prophets to warn them. The phrase "He had compassion on His people" (2 Chronicles 36:15) highlights God's enduring mercy, using the Hebrew root "רָחַם" (racham), meaning "to have compassion." 5. Exile and Restoration The chapter concludes with the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple. This theme of restoration is encapsulated in the Hebrew word "שׁוּב" (shuv), meaning "to return" or "restore," signifying hope and renewal after judgment. 6. The Role of Foreign Powers in God’s Plan The involvement of foreign powers like Babylon and Persia in Judah's history is portrayed as part of God's divine plan. The term "כּוּם" (kum), meaning "to establish," is relevant here, as God establishes these nations to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His control over history. 7. The Consequences of Ignoring God’s Word The chapter illustrates the dire consequences of ignoring God's word, as seen in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The Hebrew word "דָּבָר" (dabar), meaning "word" or "matter," emphasizes the importance of heeding God's commands and the peril of neglecting them. Answering Tough Questions 1. How can the historical timeline of Pharaoh Necho taking control of Judah (2 Chronicles 36:2-4) align with secular Egyptian records? Bible Study Discussion Questions 1. How does the behavior of the last four kings of Judah demonstrate the consequences of disobedience to God? 2. How could have Judah avoided the tragic end depicted in 2 Chronicles 36? 3. How did the actions of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah affect the people they were leading? 4. How does God use foreign rulers like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to fulfill His purposes? 5. What is the significance of the 70 years of exile? 6. How is the concept of a 'sabbath rest' demonstrated through the Babylonian exile? 7. How does the fall of Jerusalem in this chapter demonstrate the serious nature of God's judgment? 8. In what ways does God show His mercy in this chapter, despite the judgement? 9. How does the prophecy of Jeremiah come to pass in this chapter, and what does this tell us about the nature of prophecy in the Bible? 10. How is Cyrus used as a vessel for God's deliverance? 11. In modern times, how might leaders' actions have far-reaching consequences for the people they lead? 12. How might the Babylonian exile be reflected in contemporary experiences of displacement or forced migration? 13. How can we remain hopeful in times of crisis, as the people of Judah may have felt during the exile? 14. How does God's fulfillment of His promises in this chapter reassure you about promises He has made elsewhere in the Bible? 15. How might the idea of a 'sabbath rest' apply to your personal life and modern society? 16. How can we heed warnings from God in our lives, unlike the people of Judah in 2 Chronicles 36? 17. How does the chronicler's account of the destruction of Jerusalem impact your understanding of the consequences of collective disobedience? 18. What can we learn from the mercy God shows to the people of Judah despite their rebellion? 19. How do you see God working through non-believers or unlikely individuals, similar to Cyrus, in the world today? 20. How does the ending of Chronicles inspire you to trust in God's faithfulness and promises? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions |
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