New International VersionSo Jehoram went to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night; his army, however, fled back home.
New Living TranslationSo Jehoram went with all his chariots to attack the town of Zair. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he went out at night and attacked them under cover of darkness. But Jehoram’s army deserted him and fled to their homes.
English Standard VersionThen Joram passed over to Zair with all his chariots and rose by night, and he and his chariot commanders struck the Edomites who had surrounded him, but his army fled home.
Berean Standard BibleSo Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes.
King James BibleSo Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
New King James VersionSo Joram went to Zair, and all his chariots with him. Then he rose by night and attacked the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots; and the troops fled to their tents.
New American Standard BibleThen Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. And he got up at night and struck the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots; but his army fled to their tents.
NASB 1995Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. And he arose by night and struck the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots; but his army fled to their tents.
NASB 1977Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. And it came about that he arose by night and struck the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots; but his army fled to their tents.
Legacy Standard BibleThen Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. And he arose by night and struck the Edomites who were surrounding him and the commanders of the chariots; but his army fled to their tents.
Amplified BibleSo Jehoram [king of Judah] went over to Zair [in Edom] with all his chariots. He set out by night and struck down the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of his chariots; but the people [of his army] fled to their tents.
Christian Standard BibleSo Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders, but his troops fled to their tents.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders, but his troops fled to their tents.
American Standard VersionThen Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
Contemporary English VersionSo Jehoram and his cavalry marched to Zair, where the Edomite army surrounded him and his commanders. During the night he attacked the Edomites, but he was defeated, and his troops escaped to their homes.
English Revised VersionThen Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled to their tents.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJehoram took all his chariots to attack Zair. The Edomites and their chariot commanders surrounded him, but he got up at night, broke through their lines, and his troops fled home.
Good News TranslationSo Jehoram set out with all his chariots to Zair, where the Edomite army surrounded them. During the night he and his chariot commanders managed to break out and escape, and his soldiers scattered to their homes.
International Standard VersionThen Joram crossed over to Zair, along with all of his chariots. At night he attacked the Edomites who had surrounded him and the commanders of his chariots, but the army ran away to their tents.
NET BibleJoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites, who had surrounded him, attacked at night and defeated him and his chariot officers. The Israelite army retreated to their homeland.
New Heart English BibleThen Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
Webster's Bible TranslationSo Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites who encompassed him, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes.
World English BibleThen Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites who surrounded him with the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Joram passes over to Zair, and all the chariots with him, and he himself has risen by night, and strikes Edom that is coming around to him, and the heads of the chariots, and the people flee to their tents;
Young's Literal Translation and Joram passeth over to Zair, and all the chariots with him, and he himself hath risen by night, and smiteth Edom, that is coming round about unto him, and the heads of the chariots, and the people fleeth to its tents;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Joram will pass over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he will be rising by night, and he will strike Edom surrounding upon him, and the captains of his chariots: and the people will flee to his tents. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Joram came to Seira, and all the chariots with him: and he arose in the night, and defeated the Edomites that had surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots, but the people fled into their tents.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd so, Jehoram went to Zair, and all the chariots with him. And he rose up in the night, and he struck down the Idumeans who had surrounded him, and the leaders of the chariots. But the people fled to their tents.
New American BibleThereupon Joram with all his chariots crossed over to Zair. He arose by night and broke through the Edomites when they had surrounded him and the commanders of his chariots. Then his army fled homeward.
New Revised Standard VersionThen Joram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. He set out by night and attacked the Edomites and their chariot commanders who had surrounded him; but his army fled home. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him; and he rose by night to smite the Edomites who had surrounded him and his commanders with chariots; but the people fled to their tents.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Yoram passed to Tsira and all the chariots with him, and he arose in the night that he would destroy the Edomites who surrounded him and his Princes in chariots, and the people fled to their tents. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Joram went up to Sior, and all the chariots that were with him: and it came to pass after he had arisen, that he smote Edom who compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Edom and Libnah Revolt20In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. 21So Jehoramcrossed overto Zairwithallhis chariots.When the Edomitessurroundedhimandhis chariotcommanders,herose upand attackedby night.His troops, however,fledto their homes.22So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.…
Cross References 2 Chronicles 21:9So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his officers and all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night.
2 Samuel 8:14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
1 Kings 22:47And there was no king in Edom; a deputy served as king.
Genesis 27:40You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
2 Samuel 10:18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.
1 Kings 11:14-16Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.
Isaiah 34:5-6When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
Psalm 60:8Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
Obadiah 1:1-9This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”— / “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised. / The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ ...
Jeremiah 49:7-22Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? ...
Ezekiel 25:12-14This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’
Amos 1:11-12This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”
Romans 9:13So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Hebrews 12:16-17See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. / For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
Matthew 2:16-18When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Treasury of Scripture So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. Jump to Previous ArmyAttackBrokeCaptainsChariotChariotsCommandersCompassedCrossedEdomEdomitesE'domitesEncompassedFledFlightForcesHomeHoweverJehoramJoramNightPassedPassethRisenRoseRoundSmitethSmoteStruckSurroundedTentsWar-CarriagesJump to Next ArmyAttackBrokeCaptainsChariotChariotsCommandersCompassedCrossedEdomEdomitesE'domitesEncompassedFledFlightForcesHomeHoweverJehoramJoramNightPassedPassethRisenRoseRoundSmitethSmoteStruckSurroundedTentsWar-Carriages2 Kings 8 1.The Shunammite, having left her country seven years, to avoid the famine,5.for Elisha's miracle's sake has her land restored by the king.7.Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad and succeeds him16.Jehoram's wicked reign in Judah20.Edom and Libnah revolt23.Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram25.Ahaziah's wicked reign28.He visits Joram, being wounded, at JezreelSo Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots.Jehoram, the king of Judah, is depicted here as taking decisive military action against Edom, a neighboring nation that had been under Judah's control. The crossing to Zair indicates a strategic move, likely intended to suppress a rebellion. Zair's exact location is uncertain, but it is thought to be in the region of Edom, south of the Dead Sea. The use of "all his chariots" suggests a significant military force, highlighting the seriousness of the threat posed by Edom's revolt. Chariots were a symbol of military strength and technological advancement in ancient warfare, often used for their speed and power in battle. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders,
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had a long history of conflict with Israel and Judah. Their ability to surround Jehoram and his commanders indicates a well-coordinated and effective military strategy. This situation reflects the ongoing tension and hostilities between the two nations, which can be traced back to the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau. The surrounding of Jehoram's forces suggests a moment of vulnerability and potential defeat for Judah. he rose up and attacked by night.
Jehoram's decision to attack by night demonstrates tactical acumen and a willingness to take risks. Night attacks were less common due to the difficulties of coordination and communication in the dark, but they could provide the element of surprise. This action shows Jehoram's determination to overcome the encirclement and turn the tide of battle. The use of night as a cover for military maneuvers is a recurring theme in biblical warfare, emphasizing the importance of strategy and divine intervention in achieving victory. His troops, however, fled to their homes.
Despite Jehoram's bold night attack, his troops ultimately fled, indicating a lack of morale or confidence in their leadership. This retreat suggests internal issues within the army or a recognition of the overwhelming strength of the Edomites. The phrase "fled to their homes" implies a disorganized and hasty retreat, which would have been seen as a disgrace in the context of ancient warfare. This outcome highlights the challenges faced by Jehoram's reign and foreshadows the continued decline of Judah's power during this period. The failure of Jehoram's campaign against Edom can be seen as part of the broader narrative of Judah's struggles with faithfulness to God and the consequences of turning away from divine guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joram (Jehoram)King of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat. His reign is marked by idolatry and political instability. 2. ZairA location mentioned in the context of Joram's military campaign against Edom. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is significant as the site of the battle. 3. EdomitesDescendants of Esau, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. They had been subjugated by David but rebelled during Joram's reign. 4. Chariot CommandersMilitary leaders under Joram, involved in the battle against the Edomites. 5. The Army's FlightThe retreat of Joram's forces signifies a failed military campaign and highlights the instability of his reign. Teaching Points The Consequences of IdolatryJoram's failure is a direct result of his departure from God's ways. Idolatry leads to instability and defeat. The Importance of Godly LeadershipJoram's reign contrasts with his father Jehoshaphat's, showing the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite human efforts and strategies, ultimate victory comes from God. Believers should rely on Him rather than their own strength. The Legacy of SinThe conflict with Edom is a reminder of the long-lasting consequences of sin and disobedience, tracing back to Jacob and Esau. Repentance and RestorationThe account encourages believers to turn back to God, seeking His guidance and strength in times of trouble. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 8
How do we reconcile the timeline of Jehoram's reign in 2 Chronicles 21 with other biblical records regarding the succession of Judah's kings?
Who was King Jehoram/Joram in biblical history?
In 2 Kings 8:16-19, how does Jehoram's reign fit with other biblical accounts that describe conflicting details about Judah's kings?
How does 'the older shall serve the younger' (Genesis 25:23) align with later historical records of Edom and Israel?(21) So Joram went over to Zair.--No town called Zair is otherwise known. Hitzig and Ewald would read Zoar, but Zoar lay in Moab, not in Edom. ( Jeremiah 48:34; Isaiah 15:5; Genesis 19:30; Genesis 19:37.) The Vulg. has Seira, and the Arabic Sa'ira, which suggest an original reading, "to Seir," the well-known mountain chain which was the headquarters of the Edomite people. Perhaps the reading of the text ??'ir?h represents a dialectic pronunciation. (Comp. the forms Yish?q and Yich?q for Isaac.) And he rose by night.--There may be alacuna of a few lines in the text here, or the compiler, in his desire to be brief, may have become obscure. Jehoram appears to have been hemmed in by the Edomites in the mountains, and to have attempted escape under cover of night. Smote the Edomites which compassed him about.--Cut his way through their ranks. And the captains of the chariots.--Part of the object of the verb "smote." Jehoram smote (cut his way through) the Edomites--that is to say, the captains of the Edomite war-chariots which hemmed him and his army in. . . . Verse 21. - So Joram went over to Zair. Naturally, Joram did not allow Edom to become independent without an attempt to reduce it. He invaded the country in full force, taking up a position at a place called Zair, which is not otherwise known. Zair ( צָעִיר) can scarcely be Zoar ( צועַר), which, wherever it was, was certainly not in Edom; and it is hardly likely to be a corruption of "Seir" ( צָעִיר), since the utterly unknown צעיר would scarcely be put by a copyist in the place of the well-known שׂעיר. Moreover, if Mount Seir were intended, it would probably have had the prefix הַר, as in 1 Chronicles 4:42; 2 Chronicles 20:10, 22, 23; Ezekiel 35:2, 3, 7, 15. "Seir" alone is poetical rather than historical, especially in the language of the later books of the Old Testament. And all the chariots with him; or, all his chariots (Revised Version). The article has the force of the possessive pronoun. And he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about. Josephus understands the writer to mean that Joram made his invasion by night, and smote the Edomites on all sides ('Ant. Jud.,' 9:5. § 1); but it seems better to suppose, with most modern commentators, that the meaning is the following: Soon after Joram invaded the country, he found himself surrounded and blocked in by the Edomite troops, and could only save himself by a night attack, which was so far successful that he broke through the enemy's lines and escaped; his army, however, was so alarmed at the danger it had run, that it at once dispersed and returned home . And the captains of the chariots; i.e. the captains of the Edomite chariots. They too were "smitten," having probably taken the chief part in trying to prevent the escape. And the people fled into their tents; i.e. dispersed to their homes. Compare the cry of Jeroboam ( 1 Kings 12:16), "To your tents, O Israel!"
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So Joramיוֹרָם֙(yō·w·rām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3141:Joramcrossed overוַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר(way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass onto Zairצָעִ֔ירָה(ṣā·‘î·rāh)Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6811:Zair -- a place on the border of Edomwithעִמּ֑וֹ(‘im·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally withallוְכָל־(wə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhis chariots.הָרֶ֖כֶב(hā·re·ḵeḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393:A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstoneWhen the Edomitesאֱד֜וֹם(’ĕ·ḏō·wm)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123:The name of a condimentsurroundedהַסֹּבֵ֤יב(has·sō·ḇêḇ)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5437:To turn about, go around, surroundhimאֵלָיו֙(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toandוְאֵת֙(wə·’êṯ)Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casehis chariotהָרֶ֔כֶב(hā·re·ḵeḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393:A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstonecommanders,שָׂרֵ֣י(śā·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeheה֞וּא(hū)Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arerose upקָ֣ם(qām)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standand attackedוַיַּכֶּ֨ה(way·yak·keh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221:To strikeby night.לַ֗יְלָה(lay·lāh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversityHis troops, however,הָעָ֖ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockfledוַיָּ֥נָס(way·yā·nās)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127:To flit, vanish awayto their homes.לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃(lə·’ō·hā·lāw)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 168:A tent
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OT History: 2 Kings 8:21 Then Joram passed over to Zair (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
