New International VersionHe carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
New Living TranslationThe few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon, and they became servants to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
English Standard VersionHe took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia,
Berean Standard BibleThose who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
King James BibleAnd 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:
New King James VersionAnd those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
New American Standard BibleHe took into exile those who had escaped from the sword to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
NASB 1995Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
NASB 1977And those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
Legacy Standard BibleAnd those who had escaped from the sword he took away into exile to Babylon; and they were slaves to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
Amplified BibleHe deported to Babylon those who had escaped from the sword; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the kingdom of Persia was established there,
Christian Standard BibleHe deported those who escaped from the sword to Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the rise of the Persian kingdom.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe deported those who escaped from the sword to Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the rise of the Persian kingdom.
American Standard VersionAnd them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
Contemporary English VersionThe survivors were taken to Babylonia as prisoners, where they were slaves of the king and his sons, until Persia became a powerful nation.
English Revised VersionAnd them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe king of Babylon took those who weren't executed to Babylon to be slaves for him and his sons. They remained captives until the Persian Empire began to rule.
Good News TranslationHe took all the survivors to Babylonia, where they served him and his descendants as slaves until the rise of the Persian Empire.
International Standard VersionNebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon those who survived the executions, and they served him and his descendants until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
NET BibleHe deported to Babylon all who escaped the sword. They served him and his sons until the Persian kingdom rose to power.
New Heart English BibleHe carried those who had escaped from the sword away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd them that had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThose who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
World English BibleHe carried those who had escaped from the sword away to Babylon, and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he removes those left of the sword to Babylon, and they are to him and to his sons for servants, until the reigning of the kingdom of Persia,
Young's Literal Translation And he removeth those left of the sword unto Babylon, and they are to him and to his sons for servants, till the reigning of the kingdom of Persia,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the remainder from the sword he will carry away captive to Babel; and they will be to him and to his sons for servants, even to the reigning of the kingdom of Persia: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhosoever escaped the sword, was led into Babylon, and there served the king and his sons till the reign of the king of Persia.
Catholic Public Domain VersionIf anyone had escaped from the sword, he was led into Babylon. And he served the king and his sons, until the king of Persia would command,
New American BibleThose who escaped the sword he carried captive to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the Persian kingdom came to power.
New Revised Standard VersionHe took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd those who had escaped from the sword he carried away captive to Babylon, where they became servants to him and to his sons until the LORD delivered the kingdom to the Persians;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he brought out those who escaped from the sword into captivity to Babel, and they were Servants to him and to his children, until he handed the kingdom over to the Persians OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he carried away the remnant to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of the Medes.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Fall of Jerusalem… 19Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. 20Those who escapedthe swordwere carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exileinBabylon,and they becameservantsto himand his sonsuntilthe kingdomof Persiacame to power.21So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD through Jeremiah.…
Cross References Jeremiah 25:11-12And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. / But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.
Jeremiah 29:10For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.
Daniel 9:2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
Ezra 1:1-3In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.
2 Kings 24:14-16He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained. / Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / The king of Babylon also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle.
2 Kings 25:11-12Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population. / But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.
Nehemiah 1:8-9Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, / but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’
Leviticus 26:33-35But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste. / Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths all the days it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. / As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it.
Deuteronomy 28:36The LORD will bring you and the king you appoint to a nation neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone.
Isaiah 39:6-7The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Ezekiel 12:13But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.
Psalm 137:1-4By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. / There on the willows we hung our harps, / for there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: “Sing us a song of Zion.” ...
Jeremiah 27:20-22which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. / Yes, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem: / ‘They will be carried to Babylon and will remain there until the day I attend to them again,’ declares the LORD. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”
Jeremiah 52:28-30These are the people Nebuchadnezzar carried away: in the seventh year, 3,023 Jews; / in Nebuchadnezzar’s eighteenth year, 832 people from Jerusalem; / in Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away 745 Jews. So in all, 4,600 people were taken away.
Acts 7:43You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
Treasury of Scripture 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: A. Deuteronomy 28:47,48 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of allthings; … Jeremiah 27:7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him. until the reign 2 Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORDspoken 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, andput it also in writing, saying, Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, andput it also in writing, saying, Jump to Previous BabylonCarriedDeathEscapedEstablishmentExileKingdomPersiaPowerPrisonersReignReigningRemnantRemovethRuleServantsSwordJump to Next BabylonCarriedDeathEscapedEstablishmentExileKingdomPersiaPowerPrisonersReignReigningRemnantRemovethRuleServantsSword2 Chronicles 36 1.Jehoahaz succeeding, is deposed by Pharaoh, and carried into Egypt5.Jehoiakim reigning ill, is carried bound into Babylon9.Jehoiachin succeeding, reigns ill, and is brought into Babylon11.Zedekiah succeeding, reigns ill, despite the prophets, and rebels against Nebuchadnezzar14.Jerusalem, for the sins of the priests and the people, is wholly destroyed22.The proclamation of CyrusThose who escaped the swordThis phrase refers to the survivors of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The "sword" symbolizes the military might and destruction brought by the Babylonians. Historically, this event occurred in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, leading to the fall of the city and the destruction of Solomon's Temple. The survivors were those who managed to avoid death during the siege and subsequent slaughter. were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon
The forced relocation to Babylon is known as the Babylonian Exile or Captivity. This was a common practice in ancient times to prevent rebellion by removing the conquered people from their homeland. Babylon, located in modern-day Iraq, was a significant cultural and political center. The exile fulfilled prophecies given by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12) and Isaiah (Isaiah 39:6-7), who warned of Judah's impending judgment due to their disobedience to God. and they became servants to him and his sons
The exiles served Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, indicating a period of subjugation and servitude. This servitude was both literal, as they worked in various capacities in Babylon, and spiritual, as they were under the rule of a foreign king. This period of servitude is a reminder of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God, as outlined inDeuteronomy 28:47-48. until the kingdom of Persia came to power
The rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great marked the end of the Babylonian Empire. In 539 BC, Cyrus conquered Babylon, and his policies were more favorable to the exiled peoples. This change in power fulfilled the prophecy ofJeremiah 29:10, which promised that after seventy years, God would bring the exiles back to their land. Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, as recorded inEzra 1:1-4. This event is a type of Christ, as Cyrus is seen as a deliverer who sets the captives free, prefiguring Jesus Christ's ultimate deliverance of humanity from sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonA powerful empire that conquered Judah and took its people into exile. Babylon is often seen as a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's kingdom. 2. The RemnantThe remaining people of Judah who survived the Babylonian conquest. They were taken into exile, representing God's judgment but also His preservation of a faithful remnant. 3. The SwordSymbolizes the judgment and destruction that came upon Judah due to their disobedience to God. 4. ServantsThe status of the exiled Jews in Babylon, indicating their subjugation and loss of freedom. 5. Kingdom of PersiaThe empire that eventually conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, fulfilling God's promise of restoration. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Judgment and RestorationGod's control over history is evident as He uses Babylon to judge Judah and Persia to restore them. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan, even in times of discipline. The Faithfulness of God to His PromisesDespite the judgment, God preserved a remnant and fulfilled His promise of restoration. This encourages believers to hold onto God's promises, knowing He is faithful. The Consequences of DisobedienceJudah's exile serves as a warning about the serious consequences of turning away from God. It calls believers to examine their lives and remain faithful to God's commands. Hope in Times of ExileEven in exile, God had a plan for His people. Believers can find hope in difficult circumstances, trusting that God is working for their good and His glory. The Role of ServanthoodThe Jews' servitude in Babylon reminds believers of the call to serve God faithfully, regardless of their circumstances, and to trust in His timing for deliverance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 36:20?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 36:20 illustrate God's sovereignty over Israel's captivity?
3.What lessons can we learn from Israel's exile in 2 Chronicles 36:20?
4.How does 2 Chronicles 36:20 connect to God's promises in Jeremiah 29:10?
5.How can we apply the concept of divine discipline from 2 Chronicles 36:20 today?
6.What role does obedience play in avoiding consequences like those in 2 Chronicles 36:20?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 36:20 reflect God's judgment on Israel's disobedience?
8.What historical evidence supports the Babylonian exile mentioned in 2 Chronicles 36:20?
9.Why did God allow His people to become servants in Babylon according to 2 Chronicles 36:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 36?
11.Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible?
12.In Isaiah 4:1, how could seven women outnumber men to such an extreme level, and is there any historical or scientific evidence for such a ratio?
13.What is the Jubilee celebration in 2017?
14.Why do other civilizations around Israel not record similar extended fallow periods or Jubilees, if this commandment (Lev 25) was practiced widely?What Does 2 Chronicles 36:20 Mean Those who escaped the sword“Those who escaped the sword…” points to the small remnant left alive after Babylon’s brutal assault on Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-11). The phrase underlines that: • God’s warnings of judgment were fulfilled to the letter (Jeremiah 21:7;Lamentations 2:21). • Survival was no accident; it fit the divine pattern of preserving a remnant (Isaiah 10:22). Yet escape did not equal liberty—the story of discipline continued for Judah’s survivors.
were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in BabylonThe verse moves from survival to deportation: “He carried away to Babylon…”. Nebuchadnezzar’s action fulfilled earlier prophecies that Judah would be uprooted and removed (Jeremiah 25:9-11). Key takeaways: • Exile was God’s chosen tool for purging idolatry (2 Kings 24:3-4). • The journey to Babylon marked the loss of land, temple, and king, echoingLeviticus 26:33. • Even in displacement, God remained present (Ezekiel 1:1-3), preparing a future hope.
and they became servants to him and his sonsOnce in Babylon, the people “became servants to him and his sons”. Servitude lasted through Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach, and Belshazzar (Jeremiah 27:6-7;Daniel 5:1). This clause teaches: • Foreign domination was the direct consequence of covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). • God still preserved select exiles for influence—think of Daniel and his friends serving the court (Daniel 1:17-21). • Generational servitude highlights how sin’s effects linger beyond a single lifetime.
until the kingdom of Persia came to powerCaptivity had a divinely set endpoint: “until the kingdom of Persia came to power”. When Cyrus captured Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31), Jeremiah’s 70-year timetable (Jeremiah 25:12) closed andIsaiah 44:28 came to life. Observe: • God directs world empires for His purposes, raising Persia to release His people (Ezra 1:1-3). • The precise timeline underscores His faithfulness—judgment was severe but not eternal. • The same sovereignty that sent Judah out also brought them home.
summary2 Chronicles 36:20 compresses decades into one verse: survivors of Jerusalem’s fall were deported, served Babylonian kings, and remained in bondage until Persia rose. Each phrase demonstrates God’s unwavering integrity—He judges sin, preserves a remnant, sets definite boundaries on discipline, and ultimately orchestrates deliverance exactly as foretold.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Those who escapedהַשְּׁאֵרִ֥ית(haš·šə·’ê·rîṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7611:Rest, residue, remnant, remainderthe swordהַחֶ֖רֶב(ha·ḥe·reḇ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordwere carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exileוַיֶּ֛גֶל(way·ye·ḡel)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1540:To denude, to exile, to revealinאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toBabylon,בָּבֶ֑ל(bā·ḇel)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894:Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital cityand they becameוַֽיִּהְיוּ־(way·yih·yū-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beservantsלַעֲבָדִ֔ים(la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantto him and his sonsוּלְבָנָיו֙(ū·lə·ḇā·nāw)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonuntilעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilethe kingdomמַלְכ֥וּת(mal·ḵūṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438:Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdomof Persiaפָּרָֽס׃(pā·rās)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539:Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babyloncame to power.מְלֹ֖ךְ(mə·lōḵ)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4427:To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel
Links 2 Chronicles 36:20 NIV2 Chronicles 36:20 NLT2 Chronicles 36:20 ESV2 Chronicles 36:20 NASB2 Chronicles 36:20 KJV
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 36:20 He carried those who had escaped (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
