2 Chronicles 36:16

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מַלְעִבִים֙ But they mocked H3931
מַלְעִבִים֙ But they mocked
Strong's: H3931
Word #: 2 of 16
to deride
בְּמַלְאֲכֵ֣י the messengers H4397
בְּמַלְאֲכֵ֣י the messengers
Strong's: H4397
Word #: 3 of 16
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּבוֹזִ֣ים and despised H959
וּבוֹזִ֣ים and despised
Strong's: H959
Word #: 5 of 16
to disesteem
דְּבָרָ֔יו his words H1697
דְּבָרָ֔יו his words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וּמִֽתַּעְתְּעִ֖ים and misused H8591
וּמִֽתַּעְתְּעִ֖ים and misused
Strong's: H8591
Word #: 7 of 16
to cheat; by analogy, to maltreat
בִּנְבִאָ֑יו his prophets H5030
בִּנְבִאָ֑יו his prophets
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 8 of 16
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
עַ֠ד H5704
עַ֠ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 9 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עֲל֧וֹת arose H5927
עֲל֧וֹת arose
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 10 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
חֲמַת until the wrath H2534
חֲמַת until the wrath
Strong's: H2534
Word #: 11 of 16
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
יְהוָ֛ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּעַמּ֖וֹ against his people H5971
בְּעַמּ֖וֹ against his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 13 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 14 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לְאֵ֥ין H369
לְאֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 15 of 16
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
מַרְפֵּֽא׃ till there was no remedy H4832
מַרְפֵּֽא׃ till there was no remedy
Strong's: H4832
Word #: 16 of 16
properly, curative, i.e., literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity

Analysis & Commentary

The tragic climax of Israel's rebellion: '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.' Progressive hardening - mocking messengers, despising words, misusing prophets - led to the point of 'no remedy' (ein marpe - no healing). This doesn't mean God couldn't forgive but that the nation had passed the point where repentance was possible. The phrase 'wrath arose' depicts divine patience exhausted by persistent covenant violation. This sobering warning appears in Hebrews 6:4-6 about those who persistently reject truth. Yet God's wrath, even in exile, served redemptive purposes, producing a remnant.

Historical Context

Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem and exile (586 BCE) resulted from generations of covenant unfaithfulness. The 'no remedy' point came despite Jeremiah's final warnings (Jeremiah 7, 26). Yet even this judgment preserved a remnant and prepared for restoration.

Questions for Reflection