2 Chronicles 36:16

KJV

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they mocked {H3931} the messengers {H4397} of God {H430}, and despised {H959} his words {H1697}, and misused {H8591} his prophets {H5030}, until the wrath {H2534} of the LORD {H3068} arose {H5927} against his people {H5971}, till there was no remedy {H4832}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they ridiculed God's messengers, treating his words with contempt and scoffing at his prophets, until the anger of ADONAI rose up against his people to the extent that there was no longer any remedy.

Berean Standard Bible

But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

American Standard Version

but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The verse 2 Chronicles 36:16 encapsulates the tragic climax of Judah's spiritual decline, portraying the people's persistent and escalating rejection of God's divine warnings delivered through His messengers and prophets. Despite God's enduring patience and compassionate appeals, their mockery, contempt, and abuse of His word reached a critical point, culminating in the inevitable outpouring of divine wrath and the irreversible judgment of the Babylonian exile, signifying a state where no human or divine remedy remained for their spiritual malady.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal moment within the concluding chapters of 2 Chronicles, marking the culmination of Judah's long history of apostasy and the immediate prelude to the Babylonian captivity. Following a detailed account of the reigns of Judah's kings, many of whom led the nation astray, the narrative in [2 Chronicles 36](/2_chronicles/36 "2 Chronicles 36 - The Fall of Judah") swiftly moves towards its tragic end. Specifically, [2 Chronicles 36:15](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15 - God's Compassion and Persistent Warnings") highlights God's persistent compassion, emphasizing His diligent sending of prophets "early and often" to warn His people. Verse 16 then presents the devastating response of the people, vividly contrasting God's grace with their hardened hearts and active rebellion, thereby justifying the severe judgment that follows in the subsequent verses, including the destruction of the temple and the seventy-year exile to Babylon as prophesied by Jeremiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period leading up to 586 BC was one of intense political instability and spiritual decay in Judah. Surrounded by powerful empires like Egypt and Babylon, Judah often vacillated between alliances, frequently turning away from their covenant with Yahweh. Culturally, the people had adopted many pagan practices, including idolatry and child sacrifice, despite the prophetic warnings. Prophets like Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah ministered during this turbulent era, consistently calling the nation to repentance. The "messengers of God" and "prophets" mentioned in the verse were these very individuals, often marginalized, persecuted, and ignored by the ruling elite and the populace. The concept of "wrath of the LORD" was understood within the covenant framework, where disobedience to God's commands would inevitably lead to divine discipline, often manifested through foreign invasion and exile, as outlined in texts like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 36:16](/2_chronicles/36-16 "2 Chronicles 36:16 - Judah's Rejection and God's Wrath") powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout 2 Chronicles and the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness of God's people**, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and contempt for divine authority despite repeated warnings. Secondly, it showcases **God's immense patience and long-suffering**, as He continuously sent messengers, desiring repentance rather than judgment, a theme echoed in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion and Mercy"). Thirdly, the verse starkly reveals the **inevitability of divine judgment** when persistent sin and unrepentant rebellion exhaust God's patience, illustrating that God's justice is as real as His mercy. Finally, the chilling phrase "no remedy" introduces the theme of **the point of no return**, where a nation's spiritual sickness becomes incurable, leading to irreversible consequences and the fulfillment of covenant curses, a solemn warning against hardening one's heart against the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mocked (Hebrew, _la'ag'_):** This verb signifies active derision, scoffing, and ridiculing. It implies a deliberate and scornful rejection, going beyond mere disregard to open contempt and disdain for the divine message and those who delivered it. It suggests an arrogant dismissal of God's authority.
* **Despised (Hebrew, _bazah'_):** This word means to hold in contempt, to scorn, to disdain, or to treat as worthless. It indicates a profound devaluation of God's very words, seeing them as insignificant or irrelevant, thereby diminishing the sacredness of His revelation.
* **No remedy (Hebrew, _'ein marpe'_):** Literally meaning "no healing" or "no cure," this powerful phrase conveys the incurable nature of Judah's spiritual sickness. It signifies a state of irreversible national decline and spiritual hardening, where all avenues for recovery have been exhausted, leading directly to the final, devastating judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they mocked the messengers of God":** This clause immediately contrasts with God's compassionate sending of messengers in the preceding verse. "They" refers to the people of Judah, including their kings and leaders. "Mocked" indicates not just passive disregard but active derision and scorn towards those who spoke on God's behalf, showing a profound disrespect for the divine authority behind the message.
* **"and despised his words":** This phrase intensifies the rejection. It's not just the messengers who are scorned, but God's actual divine utterances—His covenant commands, warnings, and calls to repentance. To "despise" God's words is to treat them as worthless, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual rebellion and a rejection of the very foundation of their relationship with Yahweh.
* **"and misused his prophets":** This further escalates the people's contempt. "Misused" (from the Hebrew _ta'te'a'_) implies treating the prophets with contempt, making sport of them, or even actively persecuting them. This suggests a pattern of abuse and mistreatment, demonstrating a complete disregard for the sacred office and divine commission of the prophets.
* **"until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people":** This marks the inevitable consequence of their persistent rebellion. The "wrath of the LORD" is not an arbitrary outburst but a righteous response to unrepentant sin and covenant breaking. The word "arose" suggests a culmination, a point where divine patience reached its limit, necessitating a just and severe intervention.
* **"till [there was] no remedy":** This chilling conclusion signifies the finality and irreversibility of the judgment. "No remedy" means no healing, no cure, no possibility of recovery or restoration through human or even divine intervention, given the people's hardened hearts. It underscores that Judah had reached a spiritual precipice from which there was no turning back, leading directly to the seventy-year Babylonian exile.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its somber message. **Climax** is evident in the escalating sequence of rejection: mocking messengers, despising words, and misusing prophets, leading to the ultimate climax of God's wrath and the "no remedy" state. This progression creates a sense of inevitability and finality. **Parallelism** is subtly used in the repetitive nature of their actions against God's representatives and His word, emphasizing the systemic nature of their rebellion. The phrase "wrath of the LORD" is a potent example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotion (anger) to God to convey the intensity of His righteous judgment against sin. Finally, the stark declaration "no remedy" functions as a powerful **hyperbole** or **metaphor**, vividly depicting the incurable spiritual sickness of the nation, implying that their condition was beyond any form of healing or restoration, thus justifying the severe and final judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 36:16 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine patience, human responsibility, and the consequences of persistent sin. It underscores that while God is infinitely merciful and slow to anger, His justice is equally true. The verse highlights the perilous trajectory of a people who systematically reject divine revelation and prophetic warnings, demonstrating that there is a point at which God's long-suffering gives way to righteous judgment. This is not an arbitrary act but a necessary response to a hardened heart that has exhausted all opportunities for repentance, leading to an irreversible state of spiritual decay. It serves as a stark reminder that grace, though abundant, is not infinite in the face of deliberate and unrepentant rebellion.

* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets and Judah's Disobedience")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling reality presented in 2 Chronicles 36:16 offers a timeless warning for individuals and communities today. It compels us to seriously consider our posture towards God's word and His messengers. Are we actively listening to, valuing, and obeying the truths revealed in Scripture and through faithful teaching, or are we, like ancient Judah, subtly or overtly mocking, despising, or misusing them? This verse calls for profound self-examination, urging us to recognize that persistent disregard for divine truth can lead to a hardening of the heart, diminishing our capacity for repentance and ultimately inviting severe consequences. While God's grace is boundless, His patience is not without limits in the face of deliberate and unrepentant rebellion. We are exhorted to seize every opportunity for repentance and spiritual renewal, understanding that the path of persistent disobedience can lead to a point of "no remedy," where the consequences become irreversible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly or overtly "mocking," "despising," or "misusing" God's word in my own life?**
* **How does my response to spiritual warnings and calls to repentance reflect the state of my heart?**
* **Do I truly believe that God's patience has limits, and what implications does that have for my daily walk?**
* **What steps can I take today to ensure I am not moving towards a "no remedy" state in my spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**What does "no remedy" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "no remedy" (Hebrew: _'ein marpe'_) literally translates to "no healing" or "no cure." In the context of [2 Chronicles 36:16](/2_chronicles/36-16 "2 Chronicles 36:16 - Judah's Rejection and God's Wrath"), it signifies that Judah's spiritual and moral sickness had become so pervasive and deeply entrenched that it was beyond any possibility of recovery or restoration. God had exhausted all means of warning, pleading, and offering grace through His prophets, but the people's hearts remained hardened. Therefore, "no remedy" indicates that the nation had reached an irreversible state of spiritual decay, making the severe judgment of the Babylonian exile the only remaining course of action. It's a powerful statement about the finality of divine judgment when persistent, unrepentant sin reaches its climax.

**Did God simply give up on His people?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply that God "gave up" in a capricious or abandoning sense. Rather, it highlights the culmination of God's long-suffering patience in the face of persistent, deliberate, and escalating rebellion by His people. [2 Chronicles 36:15](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15 - God's Compassion and Persistent Warnings") explicitly states that God "had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place" and "sent messengers to them again and again." This demonstrates His persistent desire for their repentance and restoration. However, the people's active mockery, despising of His words, and misuse of His prophets (as described in verse 16) indicate that *they* had effectively given up on God and His covenant. The "wrath of the LORD" arising and the state of "no remedy" are not arbitrary acts of abandonment but the just and inevitable consequences of their unyielding rejection of divine grace and warnings, demonstrating God's holiness and justice alongside His mercy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 36:16 depicts the tragic culmination of Israel's rebellion and the dire consequences of rejecting God's messengers, it also subtly points forward to the ultimate, perfect Messenger and the final, complete remedy found in Jesus Christ. The prophets whom Judah mocked and misused were merely shadows of the ultimate Prophet and Word of God. In the fullness of time, God sent His own Son, Jesus, who is the very embodiment of God's Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). Just as Judah rejected the prophets, many in Jesus's day rejected Him, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), even crucifying Him. However, unlike the "no remedy" situation for Judah, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate and eternal remedy for the spiritual sickness of humanity. His shed blood offers complete healing and forgiveness for all who believe, ensuring that for those who turn to Him, there is always a way back to God, a "remedy" that triumphs over sin and death ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Thus, the judgment on Judah serves as a profound warning, yet it simultaneously magnifies the boundless grace and perfect provision found in Christ, who ensures that for the repentant heart, there is always a way, always a cure, always hope, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for redemption ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 5:12

They have belied the LORD, and said, [It is] not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:

Jeremiah 5:13

And the prophets shall become wind, and the word [is] not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

Luke 22:63

¶ And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].

Luke 22:64

And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

2 Chronicles 30:10

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Jeremiah 32:3

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;