2 Chronicles 36:15
And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
Study Note
Study Note
The Chronicler's summary of the pre-exile period — God sent his messengers 'rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place' — presents the prophetic mission as an act of divine compassion rather than merely judicial warning. The phrase 'rising up early' (hashkem) is an idiom for urgency and persistence, suggesting God sent prophets with urgent persistence precisely because he did not desire the exile that was coming. The Hebrew word 'hemel' (compassion, pity) reveals the emotional texture of divine judgment: the warnings came from the same source as the promises — covenant love. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem ('how often would I have gathered your children as a hen gathers her brood… and you were not willing,' Matthew 23:37) echoes the same pathos of persistent divine outreach refused.
Other Translations
And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place:
And Jehovah, God of their fathers, sendeth unto them by the hand of His messengers--rising early and sending--for He hath had pity on His people, and on His habitation,
And the Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them by his servants, sending early and frequently, because he had pity on his people and on his living-place;
Cross References
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for …
And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his …
Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn …
And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came …
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of …
And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early …
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even …
From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the …
And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have …