2 Chronicles 21:10

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Unto this day.—See on 2Chronicles 5:9. The date thus assigned is some time prior to the captivity. No account is taken of Amaziah’s reduction of Edom (2Chronicles 25:11-15), which was probably not permanent.

The same time also.—Literally, then revolted Libnah at that time. 2Kings 8:22 ends here. The chronicler adds, “from under his (i.e., Jehoram’s) hand,” and assigns a moral ground for the successful rebellion: “For he had forsaken Jehovah, the God of his fathers.” (Thenius can hardly be right in asserting that the chronicler meant to say that Libnah, as a city of the priests, refused obedience to the idolatrous king; nor Hitzig, in explaining the revolt as merely a religious secession. ) He forsook Jehovah, by “walking in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab,” i.e., by adopting and popularising the worship of the Tyrian Baal, to please his wife and her people. In those days friendship with an alien race seems to have involved recognition of their gods. (Comp. Amos 1:9 for the alliance between Tyre and Judah.)

Libnah.—Syriac, “the Edomites that lived in Libnah.”

Benson Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:10. The same time did Libnah revolt — Libnah seems to have set up for a free state. And the reason is here given, both why God permitted it, and why they did it, because Jehoram was become an idolater. While he adhered to God, they adhered to him; but when he cast God off, they cast him off. Whether this would justify them in their revolt or not, it justified God’s providence which suffered it.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The execution of several "princes of Israel" (i. e. of Judah; see 2 Chronicles 20:34 note) implies that Jehoram's brothers found supporters among the chief men of the country, and that Jehoram's sole sovereignty was not established without a struggle.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2Ch 21:8-17. Edom and Libnah Revolt.

8-10. the Edomites revolted—That nation had been made dependent by David, and down to the time of Jehoshaphat was governed by a tributary ruler (1Ki 22:47; 2Ki 3:9). But that king having been slain in an insurrection at home, his successor thought to ingratiate himself with his new subjects by raising the flag of independence [Josephus]. The attempt was defeated in the first instance by Jehoram, who possessed all the military establishments of his father; but being renewed unexpectedly, the Edomites succeeded in completely emancipating their country from the yoke of Judah (Ge 27:40). Libnah, which lay on the southern frontier and towards Edom, followed the example of that country.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

To wit, publicly and avowedly, setting him at defiance, as the next verse shows. And this is mentioned, either,

1. As the reason why the priests, whose city Libnah was, forsook him, because he had forsaken God; or rather,

2. As the reason why God raised up so many enemies against him, both from abroad and at home.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Jehoram was thirty two years old,.... Of these verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 8:17, 2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:19, 2 Kings 8:20, 2 Kings 8:21, 2 Kings 8:22

Geneva Study Bible

So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did {e} Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.

(e) Read 2Ki 8:22.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. The same time also did Libnah revolt] R.V. Then did Libnah revolt at the same time. The exact position of Libnah is not known, but it was in the south of Judah, probably not far from Lachish (Tell-el-Hesi) and from the Edomite territory. The reason of the revolt is probably given in the Pesh. rendering of this clause, viz. “Then did the Edomites who dwelt in Libnah revolt.” Libnah was perhaps partly Edomite. According to 1 Chronicles 6:57 (42 Heb.) Libnah was a priestly city.

because he had forsaken, etc.] Not in Kings.

the Lord God] R.V. the LORD, the God; cp. 2 Chronicles 28:6 (note).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - Libnah... because he had forsaken. The parallel states the revolt of Libnah also, but does not make the closing remark of our verse. Ver. 11 - Caused... to commit fornication. Perhaps the meaning is exclusively here the infidelity of idolatry, but at any rate it includes this. 2 Chronicles 21:10

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The chronicler concludes the account of the revolt of Edom and of the city of Libnah against Judah's dominion with the reflection: "For he (Joram) had forsaken Jahve the God of the fathers," and consequently had brought this revolt upon himself, the Lord punishing him thereby for his sin. "Yea, even high places did he make." The גּם placed at the beginning may be connected with בּמות (cf. Isaiah 30:33), while the subject is emphasized by הוּא: The same who had forsaken the God of the fathers, made also high places, which Asa and Jehoshaphat had removed, 2 Chronicles 14:2, 2 Chronicles 14:4; 2 Chronicles 17:6. "And he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication," i.e., seduced them into the idolatrous worship of Baal. That the Hiph. ויּזן is to be understood of the spiritual whoredom of Baal-worship we learn from 2 Chronicles 21:13 : "as the house of Ahab caused to commit fornication." וידּח, "and misled Judah," i.e., drew them away by violence from the right way. ידּח is to be interpreted in accordance with Deuteronomy 13:6, Deuteronomy 13:11.