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2 Chronicles 21:10

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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.

So the Edomites {H123} revolted {H6586} from under the hand {H3027} of Judah {H3063} unto this day {H3117}. The same time {H6256} also did Libnah {H3841} revolt {H6586} from under his hand {H3027}; because he had forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of his fathers {H1}.

Nevertheless, since that day Edom has remained free of Y'hudah's domination. Livnah revolted against him at the same time, because he had abandoned ADONAI the God of his ancestors.

So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled against his rule at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.

So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day: then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Jehovah, the God of his fathers.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:10 records a significant turning point during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, directly linking national decline to the king's spiritual apostasy. This verse highlights the immediate consequences of Jehoram's unfaithfulness to God, manifested in the loss of crucial territories.

Context

This verse is set during the troubled reign of King Jehoram (also called Joram), son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Unlike his righteous father, Jehoram was a wicked king, largely due to the influence of his wife, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel. His reign was marked by extreme ungodliness, including the murder of his own brothers and the promotion of idolatry (2 Chronicles 21:4, 21:6). The revolt of the Edomites and Libnah mentioned here are direct consequences of his departure from the Lord, fulfilling prophetic warnings against disobedience. Edom had been under Judah's control since the time of King David (2 Samuel 8:14), and Libnah was a fortified Levitical city within Judah, making its revolt particularly telling of internal instability.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Apostasy: The verse explicitly states the reason for the revolts: "because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers." This underscores a fundamental biblical principle that turning away from God brings severe repercussions, both for individuals and nations.
  • Divine Judgment: God's covenant with Israel included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15). The loss of dominion over Edom and Libnah serves as a clear act of divine judgment against Jehoram's wickedness and Judah's spiritual decline under his leadership.
  • Leadership Accountability: The spiritual state of a nation's leader significantly impacts the nation's well-being. Jehoram's personal unfaithfulness directly led to political and military weakness, demonstrating the profound responsibility of those in authority.
  • Loss of Dominion: The revolt of Edom and Libnah represents a significant weakening of Judah's power and influence. This loss of control is a tangible outcome of Jehoram's spiritual failure.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "forsaken the LORD God of his fathers" is crucial. The Hebrew word for "forsaken" (עָזַב, 'azav) implies a deliberate act of abandonment or neglect. It's not merely a passive drifting away but an active turning from the covenant relationship established with God through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and reinforced through Moses. This abandonment of the divine covenant is presented as the direct cause of the national calamities.

Practical Application

The message of 2 Chronicles 21:10 remains powerfully relevant today. It serves as a stark reminder that:

  1. Faithfulness Matters: Our spiritual choices have real-world consequences. Just as Jehoram's unfaithfulness led to national decay, an individual's or community's departure from God can lead to spiritual and practical decline.
  2. Accountability in Leadership: Those in positions of influence, whether in government, business, or family, bear a great responsibility. Their moral and spiritual integrity can deeply impact the well-being of those they lead.
  3. The Cost of Rebellion: Forsaking God often results in a loss of peace, security, and blessing. The way back to restoration begins with repentance and a return to the Lord, as encouraged in passages like 2 Chronicles 7:14.

This verse ultimately emphasizes God's active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating that He holds leaders and nations accountable for their fidelity to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 2:13 (2 votes)

    For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2 (2 votes)

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

  • Deuteronomy 32:21 (2 votes)

    They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

  • 2 Chronicles 13:10 (2 votes)

    But as for us, the LORD [is] our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, [are] the sons of Aaron, and the Levites [wait] upon [their] business:

  • 1 Kings 11:33 (2 votes)

    Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

  • 2 Kings 19:8 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 11:31 (2 votes)

    And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: