2 Chronicles 36:20

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֶּ֛גֶל

H1540

carried he away

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

הַשְּׁאֵרִ֥ית

H7611

And them that had escaped

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַחֶ֖רֶב

H2719

from the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּבֶ֑ל

H894

to Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וַיִּֽהְיוּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֤וֹ

וּלְבָנָיו֙

H1121

to him and his sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#10

לַֽעֲבָדִ֔ים

H5650

where they were servants

a servant

#11

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#12

מְלֹ֖ךְ

H4427

until the reign

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

#13

מַלְכ֥וּת

H4438

of the kingdom

a rule; concretely, a dominion

#14

פָּרָֽס׃

H6539

of Persia

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the kingdom of God theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 36 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?