2 Kings 8 22

2 Kings 8:22 kjv

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

2 Kings 8:22 nkjv

Thus Edom has been in revolt against Judah's authority to this day. And Libnah revolted at that time.

2 Kings 8:22 niv

To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time.

2 Kings 8:22 esv

So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

2 Kings 8:22 nlt

So Edom has been independent from Judah to this day. The town of Libnah also revolted about that same time.

2 Kings 8 verses

2 Kings 8 22 Meaning

2 Kings 8:22 describes the ongoing rebellion of Edom against the authority of Judah, a state of affairs that persisted from the time of this revolt (under King Jehoram of Judah) up to the time the biblical text was written. This verse underscores the permanent loss of control Judah exercised over Edom, marking a significant and lasting shift in regional power dynamics and the enduring nature of Edomite independence.

2 Kings 8 22 Context

This verse is found within the account of King Jehoram (Joram in some translations) of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat. Jehoram's reign (853-841 BC, co-regent with Jehoshaphat 853-848 BC) is portrayed in Scripture as wicked and characterized by spiritual unfaithfulness (2 Kgs 8:18; 2 Chr 21:6). His unrighteousness stood in stark contrast to the reign of his father. Historically, Judah, under David, had conquered Edom, integrating it into its empire and establishing a governor (2 Sam 8:14). During Solomon's reign, there was an initial stir of rebellion from Hadad, an Edomite royal (1 Kgs 11:14-22), but complete independence was not achieved. It was during Jehoram's rule that Edom definitively broke free from Judahite control (2 Kgs 8:20-22, 2 Chr 21:8-10), signifying a significant decline in Judah's regional power and a consequence often associated with the unfaithfulness of its kings. The phrase "to this day" marks the lasting impact of this event for the original readers, indicating that Edom had not reverted to Judahite control by the time the book was composed.

2 Kings 8 22 Word analysis

• Yet (וְ): Connects this verse to the preceding one (2 Kgs 8:21), implying a contrast or consequence. It introduces the Edomite revolt, which likely happened in conjunction with or after Jehoram's failed campaign mentioned in verse 21.

• Edom (אֱדוֹם, ’Ĕdōm): The land and people descended from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Their name, meaning "red," is often linked to Esau's birthright exchange over red lentil stew (Gen 25:30) and the reddish terrain of their homeland. They were Israel’s long-standing adversaries, embodying sibling rivalry and enduring hostility. Their location southeast of Judah, encompassing strategic trade routes and mineral-rich areas (e.g., copper), made their independence significant both economically and militarily.

• has been in revolt / has been rebellious (פָּשַׁע, pāšaʿ): The verb signifies a rebellion, revolt, or transgression. It means to break away from an allegiance or to act contrary to established authority. In biblical usage, pāšaʿ can refer to political rebellion, but also to moral or covenantal transgression against God. Here, it denotes a political break from vassalage, emphasizing Edom's firm defiance against Judah's overlordship.

• from Judah's authority / against Judah’s authority (מִתַּחַת יַד יְהוּדָה, mittaḥat yad Yĕhûḏâ): Literally "from under the hand of Judah." "Hand" (yad) is a common idiom in the Hebrew Bible symbolizing power, authority, control, or dominion. To be "under the hand of" meant to be subservient or conquered. Edom's revolt signifies its successful escape from Judah's subjugation. This reversal of fortunes also implies the diminishing favor of God on the unfaithful Davidic line in Judah at this time, contrasted with David's initial subjugation of Edom by divine blessing.

• to this day (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, ‘ad hayyôm hazzeh): A significant phrase common throughout historical books of the Old Testament (e.g., Gen 19:37; Josh 4:9; 1 Kgs 8:8). It is a temporal marker used by the narrator to indicate that the described condition or event had continued from its inception right up to the time the biblical author was composing or compiling the text. For the audience of Kings, it served to explain the enduring geopolitical reality of Edomite independence. It suggests a finality to this break, underscoring that Jehoram's reign brought a lasting setback for Judah.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • Edom has been in revolt from Judah's authority: This phrase encapsulates a significant and lasting geopolitical shift. The prior subjugation of Edom under David was a sign of Israel's strength and God's blessing on His chosen king (2 Sam 8). This persistent rebellion signifies not just a political event but a perceived reversal or limitation of that earlier dominance, especially given Judah's spiritual decline under Jehoram. It reflects the enduring and often malevolent nature of the Edomite-Judahite relationship, stemming from the foundational rivalry between Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:23). The rebellion highlights the fragility of Judah's regional power when not aligned with God's will.
  • to this day: This is an important scribal note, authenticating the narrative by linking it directly to the readers' present reality. It underlines the long-term historical consequence of Jehoram's reign. The persistence of Edom's independence became a tangible marker of Judah's reduced influence and a precursor to the divine judgments later pronounced upon Edom due to their continuous enmity and gleeful participation in Judah's woes.

2 Kings 8 22 Bonus section

The Edomite revolt against Judah holds significant prophetic and historical implications. While David's conquest of Edom and their subjugation seemed to fulfill aspects of the promise that "the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23 regarding Esau and Jacob), this enduring revolt demonstrates that such subjugation was conditional, perhaps dependent on Judah's faithfulness and God's sustained blessing. Later prophetic books, particularly Obadiah and parts of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Malachi, focus heavily on divine judgment against Edom for their animosity towards Judah, often pointing to specific instances where Edom reveled in Judah's downfall. Thus, 2 Kings 8:22 not only reports a historical event but also subtly anticipates Edom's persistent adversarial role and the eventual comprehensive divine retribution that would be meted out against them for their continuous and often cruel opposition to God's chosen people.

2 Kings 8 22 Commentary

2 Kings 8:22 succinctly describes a profound and lasting change in the relationship between Judah and Edom. It reveals Edom's successful and permanent revolt from Judahite suzerainty, a status quo that had been in effect since David's conquest. This enduring independence is contrasted with earlier times when Judah held sway or when Edom appeared as a temporary vassal. The note "to this day" emphasizes the permanence of this break for the ancient reader, reflecting a decline in Judah's regional power directly associated with the unfaithfulness of its king, Jehoram. This verse, read alongside 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, attributes the loss of control over Edom to Jehoram's abandonment of the Lord, signaling divine displeasure through diminished military success and sovereign control. The enduring animosity between Edom and Judah, stemming from the Jacob-Esau lineage, is highlighted; the biblical narrative often frames Edom's actions not merely as political maneuvers but as a continuation of that ancient enmity, leading ultimately to divine judgment prophesied against Edom for their consistent hatred toward their "brother" Israel. This specific rebellion marked a turning point, symbolizing Judah's weakening authority and setting the stage for future interactions where Edom would often exploit Judah's vulnerabilities.