2 Chronicles 36:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:20 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:20 describes how the people of Judah who survived the Babylonian invasion were taken as captives to Babylon, where they served the Babylonian king and his descendants until the Persian Empire took control. The verse highlights the forced exile and servitude of the remaining Jews after Jerusalem fell.

This verse is part of the account at the end of 2 Chronicles, where the writer summarizes the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the fate of those who were not killed. The chronicler is explaining to later generations how the Jewish people ended up in exile, under foreign rule, and how this situation lasted until the rise of Persia, which would eventually allow some Jews to return home.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:20

• "escaped" (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit): This word refers to the small group who survived the violence. It emphasizes that only a remnant of the people remained after the Babylonian conquest.
• "away" (גָּלָה, galah): This verb means to be carried into exile or deported. It is a strong word that conveys being uprooted from one's homeland and forced to live elsewhere.
• "servants" (עֶבֶד, eved): This term often means "slave" or "servant." Here, it shows that the survivors were not just relocated but made to serve the Babylonian king and his sons, highlighting their loss of freedom.
• "Babylon" (בָּבֶל, Bavel) and "Persia" (פָּרַס, Paras): Naming these empires puts the events in a clear historical context, marking the period of exile and the eventual shift in power that would change the Jews' situation.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that the exile was not just a temporary setback but a period of forced servitude lasting until a major change in world powers.
• The mention of both Babylon and Persia connects the exile to the broader story of God's people and sets up the hope of return under Persian rule, which is described in the following verses.
• By focusing on the "remnant" and their fate, the verse underscores the seriousness of the judgment on Judah but also hints at the survival and future restoration of the people.