Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

2 CHRONICLES 36:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 36:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:22 describes how, in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, God moved Cyrus to make a proclamation allowing the Jewish people to return to their land, fulfilling a promise spoken earlier by the prophet Jeremiah. This verse shows that God influenced a foreign king to accomplish His word.

The verse is set at the end of the Babylonian exile, after Jerusalem had been destroyed and many Jews had lived in captivity for decades. The writer explains that God "stirred up the spirit" of Cyrus, meaning God prompted or motivated Cyrus to act. This action fulfilled what Jeremiah had prophesied about the end of the exile and the return of the people to rebuild Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:22

  • "Stirred up" (עָרָה, ʿarah): This word means to awaken or rouse. Here, it shows that Cyrus’s decision was not just political but was prompted by God’s direct influence on his inner thoughts or spirit.
  • "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean wind, breath, or spirit. In this context, it refers to Cyrus’s inner being or motivation, highlighting that God can move even the hearts of powerful rulers.
  • "Proclamation" (עָבַר, avar; קוֹל, qol): The text uses two words for proclamation—one meaning to pass through or circulate (suggesting the message spread widely), and the other meaning voice or sound (indicating a public announcement). This emphasizes that Cyrus’s decree was both widespread and official.
  • "Accomplished" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means to complete or fulfill. The verse stresses that God’s promise through Jeremiah was not forgotten but brought to completion through these events.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the return from exile was not just a political event but was seen as a direct fulfillment of God’s promise, showing God’s control over history and rulers.
  • It highlights the connection between prophecy and its fulfillment, linking Jeremiah’s earlier words to real historical events.
  • The verse sets the stage for the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which describe the actual return and rebuilding, making it a key transition point in the story of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“writing” Hebrew H4385 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 32:16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
  • Deuteronomy 10:4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

“Cyrus” Hebrew H3566 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
  • Ezra 1:8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
  • Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

“Persia” Hebrew H6539 · used in 24 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
  • Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Esther 10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

“up” Hebrew H5782 · used in 65 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
  • Psalms 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
  • Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.