In the days of JehoramJehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat and king of Judah. His reign is noted for its departure from the ways of his father, who was a godly king. Jehoram's rule is marked by idolatry and alliances with the northern kingdom of Israel, particularly through his marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. This period is characterized by spiritual decline and political instability, setting the stage for the events described in this verse.
Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah
Edom, a nation descended from Esau, had been under the control of Judah since the time of King David. The rebellion signifies a significant shift in power dynamics, as Edom had been a vassal state providing tribute to Judah. This rebellion can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy given to Esau inGenesis 27:40, where it was foretold that Esau's descendants would eventually break free from Jacob's yoke. The rebellion reflects the weakening of Judah's influence and the consequences of Jehoram's unfaithfulness to God.
and appointed their own king
By appointing their own king, Edom asserted its independence and rejected Judah's authority. This act of self-governance indicates a complete break from subjugation and highlights the political fragmentation occurring during Jehoram's reign. The appointment of a king also suggests a desire for stability and leadership amidst the power vacuum created by Judah's declining control. This event foreshadows further challenges to Judah's dominance and serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JehoramThe king of Judah during this period, son of Jehoshaphat. His reign is marked by a departure from the ways of his father, leading to spiritual and political decline.
2.
EdomA neighboring nation to Judah, historically under Judah's control. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and have a long-standing, tumultuous relationship with Israel.
3.
Rebellion of EdomThis event marks a significant political shift, as Edom successfully revolts against Judah's control and establishes its own monarchy, symbolizing a loss of power and influence for Judah.
Teaching Points
Consequences of UnfaithfulnessJehoram's departure from God's ways led to political instability and loss of control over Edom. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.
The Sovereignty of GodDespite human rebellion and political shifts, God's sovereign plan continues. The rebellion of Edom was part of a larger account that God was orchestrating.
Historical Enmity and ReconciliationThe conflict between Judah and Edom reflects the deeper historical enmity between Jacob and Esau. It challenges us to seek reconciliation and peace in our own relationships.
Leadership and InfluenceJehoram's failure as a leader resulted in the loss of influence and control. This underscores the importance of godly leadership and its impact on a nation or community.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 8:20?
2.How does Edom's rebellion in 2 Kings 8:20 reflect on Judah's leadership?
3.What lessons can we learn from Edom's successful revolt against Judah's authority?
4.How does 2 Kings 8:20 connect with God's promises to David's lineage?
5.In what ways can we prevent rebellion in our spiritual communities today?
6.How should Christians respond when facing challenges to their God-given authority?
7.Why did Edom rebel against Judah's rule in 2 Kings 8:20?
8.How does 2 Kings 8:20 reflect God's sovereignty over nations?
9.What historical evidence supports Edom's rebellion in 2 Kings 8:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 8?
11.In 2 Kings 8:20–22, can the Edomite revolt and Libnah’s revolt be corroborated by any known historical or external records?
12.Why would a just God, as portrayed in Ezekiel 35, enact collective punishment on entire generations of Edom?
13.(Amos 1:11–12) Do the details of Edom’s judgment align with known historical events, or does any inconsistency suggest anachronism or error?
14.In Ezekiel 25:12–14, is there verifiable evidence that Edom suffered the precise judgment described, or might this be an unfulfilled prophecy?What Does 2 Kings 8:20 Mean
In the days of Jehoram• Timeframe: roughly 853–841 BC, when “Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah” (2 Kings 8:16–17).
• Spiritual climate: Jehoram “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel… and did evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chron 21:5–6).
• His choices mattered: God had warned that covenant disobedience would erode national security (Leviticus 26:17;Deuteronomy 28:25). Jehoram’s reign sets the stage for the breakdown that follows.
Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah• Background: Edom had been subjugated since David’s victories (2 Samuel 8:13–14; 1 Chron 18:12–13). Solomon, Amaziah, and Uzziah all kept Edom in check (1 Kings 11:15–16; 2 Chron 25:11–12; 26:2).
• Turning point: Under a faithless king, “Edom rebelled” (2 Chron 21:8), fulfilling Isaac’s word to Esau that Edom would one day “break his yoke from your neck” (Genesis 27:40).
• Lessons:
– Sin weakens godly authority.
– Rebellion from vassals is one of the tangible curses that follow national apostasy (Deuteronomy 28:33, 48).
– God’s sovereignty remains visible: His earlier prophecies come to pass even through human failure.
And appointed their own king• Significance: Installing a native monarch sealed Edom’s independence; no more tribute to David’s line.
• Ripple effect: Judah lost control of trade routes southward to the Gulf of Aqaba (cf.1 Kings 9:26–28).
• Symbolic note: Edom’s king stands in contrast to the promised eternal throne of David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Human thrones rise and fall; the Lord’s covenant stands.
• Foreshadowing: Later prophets would announce Edom’s eventual judgment (Obadiah 1–10;Jeremiah 49:7–22), showing that even Edom’s brief resurgence fits within God’s larger redemptive timeline.
summary2 Kings 8:20 records far more than a regional revolt. Jehoram’s unfaithfulness strips Judah of God-given dominion, allowing Edom to cast off Judah’s rule and crown its own king. The verse testifies to the literal reliability of God’s warnings and prophecies—disobedience brings loss, yet His overarching purposes move forward undeterred.
(20)
In his days Edom revolted.--The connection of ideas is this: Although Jehovah was not willing to extirpate Judah, yet He suffered it to be seriously weakened by the defections recorded in
2Kings 8:20-22.
Made a king over themselves.--Josephus says they slew the vassal king appointed over them by Jehoshaphat (1Kings 22:48). Edom appears to have been subject to the hegemony of Judah from the time of the disruption under Rehoboam.
Verse 20. -
In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah. Edom had been conquered by Joab in the time of David, and had been treated with great severity, all the males, or at any rate all those of full age, having been put to death (
1 Kings 11:15, 16). On the death of David, Edom seems to have revolted under a prince named Hadad, and to have re-established its independence. It had been again sub-jeered by the time of Jehoshaphat, who appointed a governor over it (
1 Kings 22:47), and treated it as a portion of his own territories (
2 Kings 3:8). Now the yoke was finally thrown off, as had been prophesied (
Genesis 27:40). Edom became once more a separate kingdom, and was especially hostile to Judah. In the reign of Ahaz the Edomites "smote Judah" and carried away many captives (
2 Chronicles 28:17). When the Chaldaeans attacked and besieged Jerusalem, they cried, "Down with it, down with it, even to the ground!" (
Psalm 137:7). They looked on with joy at the capture of the holy city (
Obadiah 1:12), and "stood in the crossway, to cut off such as escaped" (
Obadiah 1:14). After the return from the Captivity, they were still Judah's enemies, and am especially denounced as such by the Prophet Malachi (
Malachi 1:3-5). In the Maccabee wars, we find them always on the Syrian side (1 Mac. 4:29, 61 1 Mac. 5:3 1 Mac. 6:31; 2 Macc. 10:15, etc.), doing their best to rivet the hateful yoke of the heathen on their suffering brethren. As Idumaeans, the Herodian family must have been specially hateful to the Jews.
And made a king over themselves. The king mentioned in
2 Kings 3:9, 26 was probably a mere vassal king under Jehoshaphat.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
In the days of Jehoram,בְּיָמָיו֙(bə·yā·māw)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayEdomאֱד֔וֹם(’ĕ·ḏō·wm)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123:The name of a condimentrebelledפָּשַׁ֣ע(pā·ša‘)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6586:To break away, trespass, apostatize, quarrelagainstמִתַּ֖חַת(mit·ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition-m
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofthe handיַד־(yaḏ-)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A handof Judahיְהוּדָ֑ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelitesand appointedוַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ(way·yam·li·ḵū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4427:To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counseltheir ownעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם(‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstking.מֶֽלֶךְ׃(me·leḵ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king
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OT History: 2 Kings 8:20 In his days Edom revolted from under (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) 
