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2 Kings 8:20

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In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.

In his days {H3117} Edom {H123} revolted {H6586} from under the hand {H3027} of Judah {H3063}, and made {H4427} a king {H4428} over themselves.

During his time Edom revolted against Y'hudah and set up its own king.

In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king.

In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.

Commentary

2 Kings 8:20 records a significant political shift during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, marking a period of decline for the southern kingdom. This verse states: "In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves."

Context

This verse occurs during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, who ascended the throne after his father, Jehoshaphat. Jehoram's reign (mentioned in 2 Kings 8:17-19) is consistently depicted as unrighteous, largely due to his marriage to the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, which led him to walk in the ways of the kings of Israel. The nation of Edom, located southeast of Judah, had been subjugated by King David centuries earlier (2 Samuel 8:14) and remained under Judah's control, often ruled by a governor appointed by the Judean king. This revolt signifies a weakening of Judah's power and influence, a direct consequence of Jehoram's spiritual decline and the kingdom's unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Sovereignty and Rebellion: The verse highlights Edom's assertion of independence, demonstrating their desire to break free from foreign dominion and establish their own self-rule.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: For Judah, Edom's revolt is presented in the context of King Jehoram's wickedness (2 Kings 8:18). This loss of territory and control can be seen as a sign of divine disfavor or a natural consequence of a kingdom that has strayed from God's commands, leading to political instability and a decline in national strength.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This event also serves as a fulfillment of the ancient prophecy given by Isaac to Esau (the progenitor of Edom), which stated that Esau's descendants would eventually "break his [Jacob's] yoke from off thy neck" (Genesis 27:40).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "revolted" comes from the Hebrew verb pashaʿ (פָּשַׁע), which means to rebel, transgress, or revolt. It implies a deliberate breaking of allegiance, a turning away from authority. In this context, it signifies a violent or decisive act of rebellion against the established political control of Judah, leading to Edom making a king over themselves, thereby claiming full autonomy.

Practical Application

The account of Edom's revolt reminds us that earthly power and alliances are often fragile. It underscores the biblical principle that a nation's spiritual health can profoundly impact its political stability and strength. For Judah, the internal moral decay under Jehoram led to external vulnerability. This serves as a timeless lesson that faithfulness to God is paramount not just for individual well-being but also for the health and stability of communities and nations. It also highlights God's sovereign hand in history, even in the rise and fall of kingdoms, as He works to fulfill His ancient prophecies.

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

  • 1 Kings 22:47 (5 votes)

    [There was] then no king in Edom: a deputy [was] king.

  • 2 Kings 3:9 (4 votes)

    So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.

  • 2 Kings 8:22 (3 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 3:27 (3 votes)

    Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him [for] a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to [their own] land.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:8 (2 votes)

    In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:10 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Samuel 8:14 (2 votes)

    And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.