Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

2 CHRONICLES 36:17KJV
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2 Chronicles 36:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:17 describes how God allowed the king of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to attack Jerusalem, killing young men—even within the temple—and showing no mercy to anyone, regardless of age or gender. The verse emphasizes that everyone was handed over to the enemy’s power as a result of their actions.

This verse is part of the account of Jerusalem’s fall, written by the Chronicler to explain why such a disaster happened to God’s people. The king of the Chaldeans refers to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who invaded after repeated warnings were ignored. The verse highlights the total devastation and lack of compassion shown by the invaders, even in the sanctuary, underscoring the seriousness of the judgment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:17

  • "Chaldees" (כַּשְׂדִּים, kasdîm): This word refers specifically to the Babylonians, not just any foreign army. Knowing this ties the event to the historical Babylonian conquest.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdāsh): This is the temple, the holiest place for the people of Judah. The violence happening "in the house of their sanctuary" shows the depth of the tragedy, as even sacred spaces offered no protection.
  • "Compassion" (חָמַל, ḥāmal): This word means to show pity or spare someone. The verse stresses that the invaders had absolutely no mercy, which highlights the completeness of the judgment.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the destruction of Jerusalem was not random violence but a direct consequence of the people’s persistent disobedience, as described earlier in the chapter.
  • The mention of the sanctuary being invaded and defiled shows that even the most sacred places were not spared, underlining the seriousness of the people’s broken relationship with God.
  • By listing every group—young men, maidens, old men, and the elderly—the verse stresses the totality of the judgment, making clear that no one was exempt from the consequences.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“men” Hebrew H970 · used in 44 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Isaiah 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
  • Lamentations 1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.

“maiden” Hebrew H1330 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
  • Esther 2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
  • Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.