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.

2 CHRONICLES 21:10KJV
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2 Chronicles 21:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 21:10 mean?

2 Chronicles 21:10 says that the Edomites and the people of Libnah broke away from the control of Judah during King Jehoram’s reign, and this break continued up to the time the book was written. The verse explains that this happened because Jehoram abandoned the LORD, the God his ancestors had followed.

The Chronicler is describing a turning point in Judah’s history: King Jehoram, who ruled after Jehoshaphat, lost control over neighboring territories. The Edomites (a neighboring nation) and Libnah (a city in Judah) both rebelled, which the text links directly to Jehoram’s decision to forsake (abandon) the LORD. This verse is part of a larger story about the consequences of a king’s unfaithfulness to God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:10

  • "Forsaken" — עָזַב (ʿazav): This word means to abandon or leave behind. The verse emphasizes that Jehoram’s loss of control was not just political but a direct result of his choice to abandon the LORD.
  • "Revolted" — פָּשַׁע (pashaʿ): This word carries the sense of rebellion or breaking away from authority. The use of this word for both Edom and Libnah highlights the seriousness of their actions and the breakdown of Judah’s power.
  • "Hand" — יָד (yad): Often used to mean power or control. The phrase “from under the hand of Judah” means these places were no longer under Judah’s authority.

Why 2 Chronicles 21:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the loss of territory was not just a political accident but was seen as a direct result of the king’s spiritual choices.
  • The mention that Edom’s revolt lasted “unto this day” shows the long-lasting impact of Jehoram’s actions, affecting Judah for generations.
  • The verse connects the king’s personal faithfulness (or lack of it) with national consequences, a major theme throughout Chronicles.

Where else these words appear

“Libnah” Hebrew H3841 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 33:20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • 2 Kings 19:8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

“revolted” Hebrew H6586 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
  • Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
  • Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

“Edomites” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.