King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 21:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 21:10 in the King James Version says “So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 21:10 · KJV

Context

8

In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king. dominion: Heb. hand

9

Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.

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.

11

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

12

And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

Read 2 Chronicles 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Complete apostasy bringing divine judgment. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
תִּפְשַׁ֥ע1 of 21

“revolt”

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

אֱד֜וֹם2 of 21

“So the Edomites”

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

מִתַּ֣חַת3 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יָד֑וֹ4 of 21

“from under his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוּדָ֗ה5 of 21

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עַ֚ד6 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם7 of 21

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה8 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אָ֣ז9 of 21
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

תִּפְשַׁ֥ע10 of 21

“revolt”

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

לִבְנָ֛ה11 of 21

“also did Libnah”

H3841

libnah, a place in the desert and one in palestine

בָּעֵ֥ת12 of 21

“The same time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֖יא13 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִתַּ֣חַת14 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יָד֑וֹ15 of 21

“from under his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כִּ֣י16 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָזַ֔ב17 of 21

“because he had forsaken”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת18 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י20 of 21

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתָֽיו׃21 of 21

“of his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 21:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 21:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13:101 Kings 11:312 Kings 19:82 Chronicles 15:2Deuteronomy 32:21Joshua 21:13

Places in This Verse

EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
Libnah 1Settlement · Modern: Tell Bornat · 31.63°N, 34.87°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 21 →

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