2 Chronicles 36:23
כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר כֹּ֣ורֶשׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֗ס כָּל־מַמְלְכֹ֤ות הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ נָ֣תַן לִ֗י יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְהֽוּא־פָקַ֤ד עָלַי֙ לִבְנֹֽות־לֹ֣ו בַ֔יִת בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה מִֽי־בָכֶ֣ם מִכָּל־עַמֹּ֗ו יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהָ֛יו עִמֹּ֖ו וְיָֽעַל׃
Royal Formula: כֹּה־אָמַר כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס
The phrase כֹּה־אָמַר (“Thus says”) is a formal prophetic or royal announcement formula. אָמַר is a Qal perfect 3ms from א־מ־ר (“to say”), presenting a completed declaration. כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס (“Cyrus king of Persia”) identifies the speaker, emphasizing imperial authority and setting the tone of an official decree.
Divine Transfer of Power: כָּל־מַמְלְכֹות הָאָרֶץ נָתַן לִי יְהוָה
כָּל־מַמְלְכֹות הָאָרֶץ (“all the kingdoms of the earth”) is a construct chain indicating total dominion. The verb נָתַן (Qal perfect 3ms from נ־ת־ן) means “has given.” The direct object לִי (“to me”) personalizes the grant, while יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם (“YHWH, God of heaven”) identifies the divine source of Cyrus’s kingship. This theological claim places Cyrus under the authority of Israel’s God.
Commission to Build: וְהוּא־פָקַד עָלַי לִבְנֹות־לֹו בַיִת
פָקַד is a Qal perfect 3ms of פ־ק־ד (“to appoint, command”). The phrase וְהוּא־פָקַד עָלַי means “and He has commanded me.” לִבְנֹות־לֹו (“to build for Him”) uses the infinitive לִבְנֹות from ב־נ־ה (“to build”) plus the pronominal suffix ־לֹו (“for Him”), expressing purpose. The object בַיִת (“a house”) refers to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Geographical Clarification: בִּירוּשָׁלִַם אֲשֶׁר בִּיהוּדָה
בִּירוּשָׁלִַם (“in Jerusalem”) specifies the location of the temple. The relative clause אֲשֶׁר בִּיהוּדָה (“which is in Judah”) further situates Jerusalem within the region of Judah, emphasizing the ethnic and religious connection of the task.
Invitation to Participate: מִי־בָכֶם מִכָּל־עַמֹּו
מִי־בָכֶם (“Who among you”) initiates a call for volunteers. מִכָּל־עַמֹּו (“from all his people”) broadens the invitation to any of YHWH’s people willing to return and rebuild. The phrasing is open, voluntary, and collective.
Blessing and Command: יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו עִמֹּו וְיָעַל
יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו עִמֹּו (“May YHWH his God be with him”) expresses a blessing. וְיָעַל (“and let him go up”) uses the Qal imperfect 3ms from ע־ל־ה (“to go up”), here functioning as a jussive — a mild command or exhortation: “Let him go up [to Jerusalem].” The ascent to Jerusalem, both physical and spiritual, is framed as an act of faith and restoration.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in 2 Chronicles 36:23
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| אָמַר | א־מ־ר | Qal perfect (3ms) | “He said” — formula introducing speech |
| נָתַן | נ־ת־ן | Qal perfect (3ms) | “He has given” — divine grant of kingdoms |
| פָקַד | פ־ק־ד | Qal perfect (3ms) | “He has appointed/commanded” — divine commissioning |
| יָעַל | ע־ל־ה | Qal imperfect/jussive (3ms) | “Let him go up” — exhortation to act |
The Grammar of Restoration
In this royal edict, Hebrew grammar serves a double purpose: asserting imperial authority and affirming divine sovereignty. Through declarative perfects, relative clauses, volitional jussives, and construct chains, Cyrus’s decree becomes not merely political, but profoundly theological. It is a call for restoration, where grammar, history, and faith ascend together toward Jerusalem.
