Who is the author of 2 Chronicles?

Historical Context and Traditional Attribution

From ancient times, 1 and 2 Chronicles were understood as one continuous work. Jewish tradition (see Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 15a) generally points to Ezra as the compiler of these books soon after the Babylonian exile. This view is further supported by the overlap between the final verses of 2 Chronicles (36:22–23) and the opening verses of Ezra (1:1–3). In these passages, Cyrus’s decree is presented almost identically, strengthening the belief that the same hand may have penned or compiled both works.

Internal Literary Evidence

1. Continuation of Themes: The Book of 2 Chronicles focuses on the history of Judah’s kings with a particular emphasis on temple worship, priestly duties, and proper observance of religious ordinances. This emphasis is consistent with what one might expect from a priestly scribe such as Ezra, described in Ezra 7:6 as “a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses.”

2. Linguistic Similarities: Similar linguistic patterns and recurring phrases appear in 2 Chronicles and Ezra–Nehemiah. For instance, the phrase “the LORD stirred the spirit of…” (2 Chronicles 36:22) also appears in Ezra 1:1, signaling continuity in style and wording indicative of a single compiler or a common school of scribes.

3. Genealogical Details: The Chronicler’s interest in genealogies (e.g., in 1 Chronicles 1–9) reflects a careful handling of archival records and detailed lineage, consistent with the meticulous work of a priest or scribe whose role was to preserve Israel’s history and covenant identity.

External Documentary Evidence

1. Talmudic Testimony: As noted, the Talmud (Bava Batra 14b–15a) lists authors and compilers of certain biblical books, linking Ezra with the composition of Chronicles, along with possible assistance from other post-exilic prophets.

2. Early Jewish and Christian Voices: Early Jewish tradition and many Christian scholars since the patristic era have recognized a unified approach to the material in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, again hinting at a single or closely related group of authors.

3. Archaeological Context: The post-exilic historical setting described in 2 Chronicles aligns with the broader Persian period (circa 6th–4th centuries BC). Archaeological finds from the era, including Persian administrative records and remnants of the Second Temple expansion, corroborate the background environment in which a priest-scribe like Ezra would operate.

Purpose and Theological Emphasis

The Chronicler’s focus on the monarchy’s relationship to the temple and proper worship structures a theological narrative: faithfulness to God’s covenant brings blessing, while breaking the covenant invites judgment. This emphasis fits with the post-exilic community’s need to reestablish orthodox worship and identity. Second Chronicles amplifies the reigns of kings who honored God’s commands (such as Hezekiah and Josiah) and underscores God’s sovereign guidance over Israel’s destiny.

Date of Composition

From a traditional perspective, 1 and 2 Chronicles likely reached their final form sometime in the late 5th or early 4th century BC. The text mentions the return from Babylonian captivity under Cyrus (539 BC). Many conservative scholars place the completion of Chronicles (along with Ezra and Nehemiah) shortly thereafter, when temple worship and priestly functions were being reestablished in Jerusalem.

Authorial Conclusion

Although the text of 2 Chronicles does not explicitly state its compiler, strong internal evidence, ancient Jewish tradition, and thematic parallels point to Ezra—or a closely related scribe in that immediate post-exilic period—as the principal figure behind its composition. The continuity between 2 Chronicles and Ezra, in addition to testimony from historic sources, provides the most compelling demonstration that 2 Chronicles was crafted under Ezra’s editorial and authorial oversight.

As 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 records:

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to make 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, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah…’”

This passage, mirrored at the beginning of Ezra, showcases a unifying literary hallmark best explained by common authorship or editorial influence.

In sum, while some debate persists in academic circles, the conservative consensus anchored in tradition, Scripture, and historical testimony identifies Ezra as the most likely compiler of 2 Chronicles.