2 Kings 8:22

KJV

Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet Edom {H123} revolted {H6586} from under the hand {H3027} of Judah {H3063} unto this day {H3117}. Then Libnah {H3841} revolted {H6586} at the same {H1931} time {H6256}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, since that day Edom has remained free of Y'hudah's domination. Livnah revolted at the same time.

Berean Standard Bible

So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.

American Standard Version

So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then did Libnah revolt at the same time.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 8:22 records two significant revolts during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah: the long-subjugated Edom regained its independence, and the Judean city of Libnah also rebelled. These events serve as stark indicators of Judah's diminishing power and internal instability, directly attributed in the broader narrative to Jehoram's unrighteous leadership and departure from the covenant faithfulness that had characterized his father, Jehoshaphat. This verse underscores the severe consequences of ungodly rule, both externally in lost dominion and internally in societal fragmentation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Jehoram's reign (2 Kings 8:16-24), which immediately follows the account of Elisha's miracles and prophetic activities. The preceding verses establish Jehoram's character, explicitly stating that he "walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the Lord" [2 Kings 8:18](/2_kings/8-18 "2 Kings 8:18 - Jehoram's Wicked Reign"). Despite his wickedness, God's covenant faithfulness to David prevented Him from utterly destroying Judah [2 Kings 8:19](/2_kings/8-19 "2 Kings 8:19 - God's Covenant with David"). The revolts of Edom and Libnah are presented as direct consequences of Jehoram's unfaithfulness, illustrating the immediate impact of his sin on the kingdom's stability and influence. The narrative then continues to detail Jehoram's death and the succession of his son Ahaziah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea, was a long-standing rival and, at times, a subjugated territory of Judah, having been brought under Israelite control by King David [2 Samuel 8:14](/2_samuel/8-14 "2 Samuel 8:14 - David's Subjugation of Edom"). Their revolt signifies a major geopolitical shift, highlighting Judah's weakening grip on its vassal states. The mention of Edom's continued independence "unto this day" emphasizes the lasting nature of this loss. Libnah, on the other hand, was a city within Judah's own territory, identified as a Levitical city [Joshua 21:13](/joshua/21-13 "Joshua 21:13 - Libnah as a Levitical City") and a fortified city in the Shephelah region [2 Kings 19:8](/2_kings/19-8 "2 Kings 19:8 - Libnah in Sennacherib's Campaign"). Its revolt suggests deep internal disarray, possibly due to oppressive policies, a breakdown of central authority, or widespread dissatisfaction stemming from Jehoram's ungodly rule. Such internal rebellion was a far more severe indicator of national decline than external losses.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the Books of Kings. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of unrighteous leadership**. Jehoram's wicked reign directly led to the erosion of Judah's power and stability, demonstrating the Deuteronomic principle that national prosperity and security are contingent upon the king's faithfulness to God's covenant [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience"). Secondly, it underscores the **decline of the Davidic dynasty** during this period, a stark contrast to the strength and expansion seen under David and Solomon. While God's covenant with David ensured the perpetuity of his line [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David"), individual kings' unfaithfulness brought severe temporal judgments. Thirdly, the dual nature of the revolts (external and internal) emphasizes the theme of **national fragmentation and vulnerability**, revealing how spiritual decay can manifest in both geopolitical losses and domestic unrest.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **revolted (Hebrew, _pasha'_):** This verb signifies "to rebel," "to transgress," or "to revolt." In a political context, it denotes breaking away from a suzerain or overlord. The use of this term emphasizes the deliberate act of rebellion by Edom and Libnah against Judah's authority, highlighting a breach of allegiance and a rejection of the established order. The term carries connotations of transgression, often used in a moral or theological sense for sin against God, suggesting that the political rebellion is a consequence of spiritual transgression.
* **unto this day (Hebrew, _'ad hayyom hazzeh'_):** This is a common editorial phrase found throughout the historical books of the Old Testament. It indicates that the condition or event described (in this case, Edom's independence from Judah) persisted up to the time the historical record was compiled or edited. Its inclusion here emphasizes the long-term and permanent impact of Jehoram's reign, marking a significant and irreversible shift in the geopolitical landscape concerning Edom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day."**: This clause describes a major external loss for Judah. Edom, previously subjugated by David and Solomon, seized the opportunity presented by Jehoram's weak and ungodly reign to break free from Judah's control. The phrase "from under the hand of Judah" vividly portrays their previous subservience. The editorial note "unto this day" underscores the lasting nature of this independence, indicating that Edom remained free from Judah's dominion even at the time the book was written, a testament to the enduring negative consequences of Jehoram's rule.
* **"Then Libnah revolted at the same time."**: This second clause details an internal rebellion, which is arguably even more alarming than the external loss of Edom. Libnah was a city within Judah's own territory, and its revolt signifies a profound internal weakness, disunity, and a breakdown of central authority. The phrase "at the same time" links this internal turmoil directly to the period of Jehoram's reign, suggesting that both external and internal challenges were symptomatic of the spiritual and political decay under his leadership. This simultaneous rebellion highlights the comprehensive nature of Judah's decline.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the immediate succession of Edom's external revolt and Libnah's internal rebellion. This pairing emphasizes the multi-faceted nature of Judah's decline under Jehoram, showing that his unrighteousness led to both geopolitical losses and domestic instability. The narrative implicitly uses **consequence and causality**, presenting these revolts not as random occurrences but as direct outcomes of Jehoram's wickedness, as established in the preceding verses. This aligns with the Deuteronomic historical framework where obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses. Furthermore, the phrase "unto this day" functions as an **editorial comment**, providing a historical anchor and emphasizing the enduring impact of these events, transforming a mere historical report into a commentary on the lasting repercussions of ungodly leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The revolts of Edom and Libnah during Jehoram's reign serve as a powerful theological statement about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, particularly for those in positions of leadership. In the Deuteronomic framework that shapes the historical books, the prosperity and security of Israel and Judah were directly tied to their obedience to God's commands. Jehoram's wicked actions, detailed in the preceding verses, are presented as the direct cause of these significant losses. This demonstrates that deviation from God's ways leads not only to spiritual decay but also to tangible political and social instability, weakening the nation from both external and internal pressures. God's judgment, though tempered by His covenant with David, manifested in the erosion of Judah's dominion and the fracturing of its internal unity. This passage reminds us that leadership carries immense spiritual responsibility, and a departure from divine principles can have far-reaching, detrimental effects on the community.

* [2 Samuel 8:14](/2_samuel/8-14 "2 Samuel 8:14 - David's Subjugation of Edom")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Psalm 78:56-64](/psalm/78-56 "Psalm 78:56-64 - Israel's Disobedience and God's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Edom and Libnah's revolts under King Jehoram offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and leaders. It underscores the vital principle that actions have consequences, particularly when one is entrusted with influence and authority. Jehoram's unrighteous choices directly contributed to the weakening of his kingdom, leading to both external losses and internal fragmentation. This narrative challenges us to consider the ripple effects of our own spiritual and moral integrity, not just on our individual lives but on the communities, families, and organizations we are a part of. Just as Judah suffered from internal and external strife due to ungodly leadership, so too can societies experience decline when moral and spiritual foundations are eroded. The passage encourages a sober reflection on how personal choices contribute to the collective good or ill, and the enduring impact of a nation's or community's spiritual health on its worldly standing and internal cohesion. It calls for a commitment to righteousness, recognizing that faithfulness to God is the ultimate source of true stability and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our personal choices, especially when in positions of influence, impact the stability and well-being of those around us?**
* **What are the "Edoms" (external pressures or losses) and "Libnahs" (internal disunity or decay) that might signal spiritual decline in our own lives, families, or communities?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate and uphold faithfulness to God in our spheres of influence to promote genuine stability and flourishing?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "unto this day" important in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "unto this day" (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common editorial note in the Old Testament historical books. Its importance in 2 Kings 8:22 is twofold: firstly, it emphasizes the lasting and permanent nature of Edom's independence from Judah, indicating that this geopolitical shift, initiated during Jehoram's reign, persisted up to the time the Book of Kings was compiled or edited. Secondly, it highlights the severe and enduring consequences of Jehoram's unrighteous rule, underscoring that his unfaithfulness led to an irreversible loss of dominion for Judah, a significant blow to its regional power.

**What was the significance of Libnah's revolt, given that it was a city within Judah?**

Answer: Libnah's revolt was highly significant because it represented an internal rebellion, a far more alarming indicator of national decline than the external revolt of Edom. As a city within Judah's own territory, possibly even a Levitical city, its rebellion pointed to deep internal weakness, disunity, and a breakdown of central authority. It suggested that the kingdom was not only losing its external vassals but was also fracturing from within, likely due to the oppressive or ungodly policies of King Jehoram. This internal strife underscored the comprehensive nature of Judah's decay under his leadership, revealing a kingdom in profound spiritual and political disarray.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The revolts of Edom and Libnah in 2 Kings 8:22, symptomatic of Judah's decline under an unrighteous king, powerfully foreshadow the desperate need for a perfect, righteous King whose reign would never falter. King Jehoram's inability to maintain Judah's dominion and internal unity highlights the inherent limitations and failures of human leadership, even within the divinely established Davidic line. This narrative points us to Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, whose kingdom is not of this world [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World") and whose reign is eternal and unshakable [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom"). Unlike Jehoram, whose sin led to fragmentation, Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice overcome all forms of rebellion—both external (against God's law) and internal (the sin within the human heart). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over the spiritual powers that held humanity captive [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"), establishing a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God"). He is the King who brings true freedom, not just from political subjugation, but from the dominion of sin and death, fulfilling the Davidic covenant in a way no earthly king ever could [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus").

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

2 Kings 19:8

¶ So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

Joshua 21:13

Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,

Genesis 27:40

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

2 Chronicles 21:10

So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time [also] did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.