2 Chronicles 21:8

EDOM AND LIBNAH REVOLT. (Ch2 21:8-17)

the Edomites revolted--That nation had been made dependent by David, and down to the time of Jehoshaphat was governed by a tributary ruler (Kg1 22:47; Kg2 3:9). But that king having been slain in an insurrection at home, his successor thought to ingratiate himself with his new subjects by raising the flag of independence [JOSEPHUS]. The attempt was defeated in the first instance by Jehoram, who possessed all the military establishments of his father; but being renewed unexpectedly, the Edomites succeeded in completely emancipating their country from the yoke of Judah (Gen 27:40). Libnah, which lay on the southern frontier and towards Edom, followed the example of that country.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Ch 21:8 In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

Ver. 8. In his days the Edomites.] See on 2Ki 8:20.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

21:8-11 Jehoram’s disobedience caused him to lose the gains that Asa and Jehoshaphat had won. • the Edomites revolted: During Solomon’s reign, control of the territory of Edom gave Israel access to the rich trade from Arabia. The Edomites had also rebelled before Solomon’s death (1 Kgs 11:14-22), and were probably not under Rehoboam’s control. They apparently came under Judah’s control again following their defeat by Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 20:1-30; cp. 1 Kgs 22:47). • The town of Libnah was at the western end of the valley of Elah, on the border of the territory of the Philistines.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 8. In his days the Edomites revolted] See on 2Kg 8:21.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(8) In his days the Edomites revolted.—2Ki_8:20. See also 1Ki_22:47, from which it appears that under Jehoshaphat “a deputy,” or viceroy, ruled in Edom. (Comp. 2Ch_20:35, Note.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

8–10 (= 2Ki_8:20-22). The Revolt of Edom

8. from under the dominion] R.V. from under the hand (as 2 Kin.). made themselves a king] R.V. made a king over themselves (as 2 Kin.).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

In his days the Edomites revolted made themselves a king. The expression, "in his days," scarcely fails in tending to accentuate the mournful change now as compared with the state of things depicted in our 2Ch_17:5-11.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

In Jehoram's days

"While Jehoram was king"

from the control of Judah

"against Judah's control"

set a king over themselves

The word "set" is a metonym for choosing, and the words "over themselves" is a metonym for "to rule them." AT: "chose a king to rule over them" (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

crossed over

"crossed the border into Edom" or "went to Edom"

It was night when he rose up ... surrounded him and his chariot commanders

It may be helpful to reorder this sentence and to add implicit information. AT: "The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but Jehoram and his army fought against them and escaped during the night" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

to this present day

This refers to the time when the book of 2 Chronicles was written. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 5:9.

Libnah

This was a town in Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

translationWords

Edom

Judah

commander

chariot

forsake

God

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

In his days, Edom rebelled, etc. For David had destroyed all the males in Edom, and he appointed governors over them instead of a king, and they paid him tribute, and all the kings of Judah did similarly: they appointed governors who pleased them. And from the days of Joram and thereafter, they [the Edomites] rebelled against the authority of Judah.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.