The Fall of Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 36:15–21 forms the movement “The Fall of Jerusalem.” The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to His people again and again through His messengers, because He had pity on them. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused and there was no remedy. Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem, carrying away treasures from the temple and palace, and burned the temple, broke down the wall, and destroyed every valuable building. He took into exile those who escaped the sword, making them servants in Babylon. The land enjoyed its sabbath rests until seventy years were completed in fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. This destruction shows the severity of God’s judgment against unfaithfulness.

In the book’s larger argument, The final chapter interprets Jerusalem’s fall through rejected messengers, covenant judgment, sabbath-rest language, Jeremiah’s seventy years, and Cyrus’s decree; the ending points directly into Ezra.

Read the passage first in its own historical and covenant setting.