2 Kings 8:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 8:20 mean?

2 Kings 8:20 reports that during the reign of Jehoram, the nation of Edom rebelled against Judah’s control and set up its own king. This marks a significant break in the political power Judah once held over Edom.

The verse is part of a historical account describing the weakening of Judah’s kingdom. The writer is narrating how, under King Jehoram, Judah began to lose its grip on territories it had previously dominated. Edom’s revolt and decision to appoint its own king signals a shift in regional power and foreshadows further instability for Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 8:20

• "revolted" (פָּשַׁע, pāshaʿ): This word means to rebel or break away from authority. Its use here emphasizes that Edom’s action was a deliberate rejection of Judah’s rule, not just a passive change.
• "hand" (יָד, yād): Often used to symbolize power or control. The phrase “from under the hand of Judah” highlights that Edom was previously under Judah’s authority but is now asserting its independence.
• "made" (מָלַךְ, mālakh) and "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): The verb and noun together stress that Edom did not just rebel but established its own monarchy, a clear sign of self-rule.

Why 2 Kings 8:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that Judah’s decline began during Jehoram’s reign, not suddenly but through specific events like Edom’s revolt.
• The detail that Edom “made a king over themselves” shows the seriousness of the break—Edom was not just rebelling but fully establishing its own leadership.
• In the wider context, this event is one of several that illustrate how the kingdom of Judah was weakened by both internal choices and external losses, setting the stage for further troubles in the chapters that follow.