2 Chronicles 36 Study Notes
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36:15-17 After God had graciously offered the people of Judah many opportunities to repent, he finally sent Nebuchadnezzar to eradicate Jerusalem and carry the people off to Babylon. When individual kings repented, God repeatedly provided a remedy (lit “healing”; 7:14; 30:20), but the accumulation of wrath against evil finally reached the tipping point. This passage is similar to the comment the Chronicler made about some of the northern tribes (1Ch 5:25-26).
36:18-20 Four punishments are exacted against rebellious Judah: (1) all the valuable articles in the temple were taken to Babylon, (2) God’s temple and all its palaces were burned down, (3) Jerusalem’s wall was torn down, and (4) the remaining population was deported to Babylon.
36:21 The book of Jeremiah records his prophecy that due to Judah’s wickedness, the Babylonians would conquer Judah and deport its inhabitants.
Male’ has a basic meaning of fill (Gn 1:22) or be full (2Kg 4:6). Intensive forms describe taking action to fill something (Ex 2:16). Male’ indicates days coming (Gn 25:24), passing (Ex 7:25), arriving (1Sm 18:26), or being completed (Lv 12:4). Male’ with “after” means follow completely (Nm 14:24), and with “over” means overflow (Jos 3:15). Male’ as cover shows the result of filling (2Kg 3:25). “Filling the hand” is idiomatic for ordaining priests (Ex 29:9) or drawing bows (2Kg 9:24). Male’ denotes mounting gems (Ex 31:5). It implies presenting as full payment (1Sm 18:27), confirming (1Kg 1:14), or being armed (2Sm 23:7). One fulfills a promise (2Ch 6:15) or satisfies an appetite (Jb 38:39). Male’ is being pregnant (Jb 39:2) or obsessed with (Jb 36:17). With “call” it suggests loudly (Jr 4:5). It can connote the height of success (Jb 20:22).
36:22-23 This story was not yet over. The Babylonians were eventually conquered by King Cyrus of Persia. Cyrus decreed that all the foreign gods in Babylon and Persia should be transported back to their places of origin and that the people who worshiped them should return and build new temples for these deities. The Jews correctly saw Cyrus as God’s instrument in issuing this command. The decree to release the Jews was made in 538 BC. See also Ezr 1:1-4.