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.
Original Language Analysis
כּֽה
H3541
כּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
פָּרַ֗ס
of Persia
H6539
פָּרַ֗ס
of Persia
Strong's:
H6539
Word #:
5 of 30
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַמְלְכ֤וֹת
All the kingdoms
H4467
מַמְלְכ֤וֹת
All the kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
7 of 30
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
נָ֣תַן
given
H5414
נָ֣תַן
given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֛יו
God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֛יו
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 30
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
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
13 of 30
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְהֽוּא
H1931
וְהֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 30
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
פָקַ֤ד
me and he hath charged
H6485
פָקַ֤ד
me and he hath charged
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
15 of 30
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עָלַי֙
H5921
עָלַי֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַ֔יִת
him an house
H1004
בַ֔יִת
him an house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
19 of 30
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
20 of 30
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
which is in Judah
H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
which is in Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
22 of 30
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
23 of 30
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּ֗וֹ
Who is there among you of all his people
H5971
עַמּ֗וֹ
Who is there among you of all his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
26 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
27 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֛יו
God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֛יו
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
28 of 30
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
Cross References
Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Daniel 5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:Daniel 2:37Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Daniel 2:21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Historical Context
This decree (538 BCE) initiated the return under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The Chronicler ends here (though chronologically Ezra-Nehemiah continue the narrative) to emphasize hope - God's promises endure beyond judgment. The incomplete sentence stylistically drives readers to participate in the ongoing story.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the invitation 'let him go up' speak to your own journey of spiritual return to God and His purposes?
- What does it mean that God's story continues beyond Scripture's final page, with you participating in His ongoing kingdom work?
Analysis & Commentary
Chronicles' final verse records Cyrus's proclamation: '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.' This remarkable ending - a Persian king acknowledging YHWH as 'God of heaven' with universal sovereignty - demonstrates God's glory reaching the nations. The invitation 'let him go up' reverses the exile's 'going down' to Babylon. Ending with this hopeful, incomplete sentence points readers forward - the story continues beyond Chronicles, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who brings ultimate restoration and builds the eternal temple (the church).