2 Kings 8 20

2 Kings 8:20 kjv

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

2 Kings 8:20 nkjv

In his days Edom revolted against Judah's authority, and made a king over themselves.

2 Kings 8:20 niv

In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king.

2 Kings 8:20 esv

In his days Edom revolted from the rule of Judah and set up a king of their own.

2 Kings 8:20 nlt

During Jehoram's reign, the Edomites revolted against Judah and crowned their own king.

2 Kings 8 verses

2 Kings 8 20 Meaning

In the days of King Jehoram of Judah, Edom, a neighboring kingdom long under the dominion of Judah, successfully rebelled and established its own independent monarchy. This event marks a significant weakening of Judah's authority and control over its vassal states.

2 Kings 8 20 Context

2 Kings chapter 8 recounts various events including Elisha's continued ministry, the Shunammite woman's restoration of property, Hazael's usurpation of the Syrian throne, and then shifts focus to the reigns of Jehoram of Judah and Ahaziah of Judah (briefly). Verse 20 specifically highlights a significant political upheaval during Jehoram's rule. Jehoram's reign (848–841 BC) was characterized by profound unfaithfulness to Yahweh, as he married a daughter of Ahab and adopted the idolatrous ways of the house of Ahab (2 Ki 8:18). This rebellion by Edom occurred as Judah's spiritual and moral strength declined under Jehoram's wicked leadership. Historically, Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea, were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and thus had a long and often contentious relationship with Israel and Judah. They had been thoroughly subdued by King David (2 Sam 8:13-14), becoming a vassal state. This revolt marks the culmination of their struggle for independence, foreseen in Isaac's prophecy concerning Esau.

2 Kings 8 20 Word analysis

• In his days: Refers to the reign of Jehoram (Joram), king of Judah (848–841 BC). The chronicler links events directly to the character of the reigning monarch, implying a connection between the king's unrighteousness and the ensuing national calamities or loss of dominion.
• Edom: (Hebrew: אֱדוֹם, ʼĚḏōm) - Descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). Their land was southeast of Judah. They were an ancient, often adversarial nation to Israel, yet their kinship was always acknowledged (Deut 23:7). Their long history includes conflict and subjugation, specifically by King David.
• revolted: (Hebrew: פָּשַׁע, pāshaʻ) - This verb means to rebel, transgress, revolt, or apostatize. It implies a breaking of covenant, allegiance, or existing order. Here, it signifies Edom throwing off Judah's dominion. The root carries connotations of breaking faith or crossing boundaries. This was not merely a military loss but an act of repudiation of the subservient relationship.
• from under the hand: An idiomatic expression indicating release from control, authority, or dominion. It emphasizes the loss of sovereignty that Judah previously exercised over Edom.
• of Judah: The southern kingdom, tracing its lineage through Jacob's son Judah, which retained the Davidic line of kings. The revolt demonstrates Judah's weakened state and diminishing influence during Jehoram's wicked reign.
• and made a king over themselves: This signifies Edom's successful assertion of independence and self-governance. It represents a full political break, establishing their own ruling power without Judah's oversight or approval, a complete return to independent statehood.

• "Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah": This phrase directly highlights the shift in power dynamics. For centuries, since David's time, Edom had been subjugated, but under Jehoram, Judah's grip weakened significantly. This act was seen not just as a political move by Edom but, from a biblical perspective, often as a consequence of Judah's own unfaithfulness to God, diminishing divine favor and protection over the kingdom's reach.
• "In his days Edom revolted... and made a king over themselves": The chronological placement underscores that this significant loss of territory and prestige was a direct feature of Jehoram's reign, linking it implicitly to the moral and spiritual state of Judah under his rule (compare 2 Ki 8:18-19). This action fulfills Isaac's prophecy to Esau in Gen 27:40, that "when you grow restive, you shall break his [Jacob's] yoke from your neck."

2 Kings 8 20 Bonus section

• The historical subjugation of Edom by David was a significant achievement (2 Sam 8:13-14). Its loss under Jehoram thus represented a substantial unraveling of the Davidic empire's historical extent and prestige.
• The phrase "from under the hand of Judah" indicates that Edom was a vassal state, obligated to pay tribute and serve Judah, reflecting the typical power dynamics in the ancient Near East between larger empires and smaller kingdoms.
• This revolt occurred in parallel with Jehoram's own reign, which saw the Philistines and Arabs also attack Judah, leading to significant losses for the kingdom and the king himself (2 Chron 21:16-17). The Edomite rebellion was part of a larger period of instability and divine judgment upon Jehoram and Judah for their unfaithfulness.
• The "king over themselves" detail emphasizes Edom's full self-determination, moving beyond mere rebellion to the establishment of their own legitimate (from their perspective) governmental structure. This was not a temporary revolt but a definitive and lasting separation.
• Later biblical prophecy frequently details God's judgment upon Edom for their persistent enmity towards Judah, even after this rebellion (e.g., Obadiah, Jer 49, Ezek 25). This revolt is a foundational historical point for understanding the long-standing animosity and subsequent prophetic denunciations.

2 Kings 8 20 Commentary

2 Kings 8:20 concisely records a pivotal moment in the history of Judah: Edom's successful rebellion and re-establishment of independent monarchy. This event serves as a stark commentary on the consequences of unrighteous leadership and Judah's declining power under King Jehoram, who "walked in the way of the kings of Israel" (2 Ki 8:18), referring to the idolatry of the house of Ahab. While God promised not to destroy Judah for David's sake (2 Ki 8:19), He allowed judgment to manifest through the loss of tributary states. This fulfilled ancient prophecies, notably Isaac's blessing on Esau, the ancestor of Edom (Gen 27:40), which foretold Edom's eventual breaking of Jacob's (Israel/Judah's) yoke. The rebellion not only inflicted a political blow, demonstrating Judah's inability to maintain its historical dominion, but also marked a significant strategic loss of access to important trade routes to the Red Sea. The passage subtly illustrates God's sovereignty over nations, even in their rebellions, working out His ancient declarations and often using human choices and consequences as instruments of His larger plan.