And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

2 CHRONICLES 36:15KJV
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2 Chronicles 36:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:15 describes how the LORD, the God of Israel’s ancestors, repeatedly sent messengers to warn the people because He cared deeply for them and for His temple. Despite their disobedience, God kept reaching out to them early and often, showing compassion and patience.

This verse is part of a summary at the end of 2 Chronicles, where the writer explains why Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The chronicler is describing God’s actions toward the people of Judah: even as they turned away, God kept sending prophets and messengers to call them back, motivated by His compassion for both His people and His sacred dwelling place.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:15

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of this name highlights God’s faithfulness even when the people are unfaithful.
  • betimes (שָׁכַם, shakam): This word means “to rise early.” The phrase “rising up betimes” paints a picture of God as eager and persistent, not just sending messengers occasionally, but getting up early and making repeated efforts.
  • compassion (חָמוּל, chamol): This word means to have pity or to spare. The verse stresses that God’s motivation was not anger, but a deep feeling of mercy for His people and His temple.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:15 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God was quick to judge; instead, it shows that God gave many chances and warnings out of genuine care.
  • The emphasis on God’s compassion and repeated efforts helps the reader see the destruction of Jerusalem not as a sudden punishment, but as something that happened after a long period of patience and warning.
  • It connects to the wider passage by setting up the reason for the exile: the people’s persistent refusal to listen, despite God’s ongoing mercy and outreach.

Where else these words appear

“place” Hebrew H4583 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Psalms 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
  • Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

“compassion” Hebrew H2550 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
  • Job 27:22 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
  • Ezekiel 5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

“betimes” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.