2 Chronicles 36:22
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,
Original Language Analysis
אַחַ֗ת
Now in the first
H259
אַחַ֗ת
Now in the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
H6539
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
Strong's:
H6539
Word #:
5 of 24
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
לִכְל֥וֹת
might be accomplished
H3615
לִכְל֥וֹת
might be accomplished
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
6 of 24
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
דְּבַר
that the word
H1697
דְּבַר
that the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּפִ֣י
spoken by the mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֣י
spoken by the mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 24
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
of Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
of Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
10 of 24
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֙וּחַ֙
the spirit
H7307
ר֙וּחַ֙
the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
14 of 24
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
H6539
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
Strong's:
H6539
Word #:
17 of 24
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
וַיַּֽעֲבֶר
that he made a proclamation
H5674
וַיַּֽעֲבֶר
that he made a proclamation
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
18 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַלְכוּת֔וֹ
throughout all his kingdom
H4438
מַלְכוּת֔וֹ
throughout all his kingdom
Strong's:
H4438
Word #:
21 of 24
a rule; concretely, a dominion
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
Jeremiah 25:12And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.Jeremiah 29:10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.2 Chronicles 36:21To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.Daniel 10:1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.Ezra 1:5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return (538 BCE) demonstrated Persian policy of tolerance and restoration of local cults. Yet the Chronicler interprets this politically motivated decree as divine providence fulfilling prophetic word, showing God works through natural means while maintaining sovereign purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign control over Cyrus encourage trust in His ability to use any circumstance or person for His purposes?
- Where do you need to trust that God can 'stir up spirits' - change hearts - to accomplish His will in seemingly impossible situations?
Analysis & Commentary
Chronicles' ending strikes hope: '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.' This demonstrates God's sovereign control over pagan kings to accomplish His promises. Jeremiah prophesied 70 years exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12); Cyrus's decree (539 BCE) fulfilled this precisely. The phrase 'stirred up the spirit' shows God's sovereign work in human hearts, even unregenerate rulers. This points to God's sovereignty over all earthly powers to accomplish redemptive purposes, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who brings the true return from exile.