But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

2 CHRONICLES 36:16KJV
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2 Chronicles 36:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:16 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:16 describes how the people of Judah rejected God’s messengers, making fun of them, ignoring God’s words, and mistreating the prophets, until God’s anger rose against them and there was no longer any chance for healing or rescue. The verse shows a point where repeated warnings were ignored for so long that judgment became unavoidable.

This verse is part of the closing summary of Judah’s history before the Babylonian exile. The writer is explaining why Jerusalem fell: the people kept turning away from God, despite many warnings from prophets. The verse highlights the seriousness of refusing to listen to God’s repeated calls to turn back, showing that there comes a time when consequences can no longer be avoided.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:16

  • "Mocked" (לָעַג, la‘ag) means to ridicule or make fun of. This word shows that the people didn’t just ignore God’s messengers—they openly scorned them.
  • "Misused" (תָּעַל, ta‘al) often means to insult or abuse. Here, it suggests the prophets were not only rejected but also treated harshly or violently.
  • "Remedy" (מַרְפֵּא, marpe) means healing or cure. The verse says there was “no remedy,” meaning the situation had become hopeless, with no way to fix the damage done by their stubbornness.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:16 matters

  • This verse makes clear that God’s patience has limits; persistent rejection of guidance can eventually lead to irreversible consequences.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of how the people treated God’s messengers, not just ignoring but actively mocking and abusing them.
  • In the context of the chapter, this verse explains why the exile happened, connecting the people’s actions directly to the disaster that followed.

Where else these words appear

“misused” Hebrew H8591 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

“remedy” Hebrew H4832 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 21:18 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
  • Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
  • Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

“despised” Hebrew H959 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“wrath” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.