Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Libnah revolted - Libnah being toward the southwest of Palestine Joshua 15:42, its revolt cannot well have had any direct connection with that of Edom. It had been the capital of a small Canaanite state under a separate king before its conquest by Joshua Joshua 10:30; Joshua 12:15, and may perhaps always have retained a considerable Canaanite population. Or its loss may have been connected with the attacks made by the Philistines on Jehoram‘s territories 2 Chronicles 21:16-17.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day,.... Joram not pursuing the enemy, and taking the advantage of the victory, but returning to his own land, the reason of which follows:

then Libnah revolted at the same time; a considerable city in his own kingdom, a Levitical one; this revolt was occasioned, perhaps, by his idolatrous practices, and which he compelled his subjects to; of this city, see Joshua 10:29.

Geneva Study Bible

(n) This was a city in Judah given to the Levites, (Joshua 21:13) that later turned from king Jehoram, because of his idolatry.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Kings 8:22 Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

Ver. 22. Then Libna revolted at the same time.] So that Joram taken off thereby, could not prosecute his victory over the Edmonites. Libna was a city of Judah, and given to the priests. [Joshua 21:13 1 Chronicles 6:57] These not enduring the late innovations in religion, and other abominations committed by Joram, cast off their obedience, "because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers." [2 Chronicles 21:10]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Edom revolted; for though Joram had given them a defeat, yet it may seem to have been no great slaughter, but only a putting them to flight; and therefore they might easily rally again. And Joram could not pursue the victory, because he was recalled by the revolt of his own subjects, which had taken the occasion of his absence, and probably feared that others would follow their example, if they had the like occasion.

Libnah; a considerable city in Judah, belonging to the priests, Joshua 15:42 21:13. Why Libnah revolted, see 2 Chronicles 21:10,11. It is probable they returned to their obedience, because those words, unto this day, which are added to the former clause, are omitted here.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22.Edom revolted’ unto this day — Some sixty years later the Edomites were again subdued by Amaziah king of Judah, (chap. 2 Kings 14:7,) so that this record would seem to have been made before the reign of Amaziah. Or it may be, that the subjection of Edom to Amaziah and to his successor Azariah (2 Kings 14:21-22) was regarded as so temporary and partial as not to amount to a real crushing out of the revolt under Jehoram, for soon after, in the days of Ahaz, the Edomites made inroads upon Judah, (2 Chronicles 28:17,) and when the Chaldeans overthrew the Jewish state, and carried the Jews into captivity, the Edomites assisted in the conquest. Obadiah 1:11.

Libnah — A city in the southwestern part of the Holy Land, whose inhabitants Joshua once utterly destroyed. See Joshua 10:29-30. Its site is now unknown. The slight notice of this revolt of Libnah indicates that it was of comparatively little importance, but its success shows the weakness of Jehoram’s reign.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Day, when Jeremias, the author lived. (Tostat) --- Lobna, a frontier town bordering on Idumea. It was a strong place assigned to priests; but strangers had probably again taken possession of it, and caused it now to revolt. The kings of Juda had retaken it when Sennacherib laid siege to the place. See chap. xix. 8., and Josue x. 30., and xxi. 13.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Yet Edom, &c. The success of Edom accounted for from the end of 2 Kings 8:21, and Genesis 27:40.

this day. Written therefore before the captivity of Judah.

Then Libnah revolted. Compare 2 Chronicles 21:10. Lib-nah was a city of the priests (Joshua 21:13), and Jehoram with his wife and sons had "broken up" the Temple worship (2 Chronicles 24:7). The priests therefore, headed by Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 23:1), led this revolt, and were afterwards active in repairing the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 24:1-14).

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Yet.—Rather, and (i.e., so).

Unto this day.—Down to the time of composition of the original account from which this epitome is extracted. This notice is borne out by the Assyrian monuments. Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal mention Qa’us-gabrî king of Udumu (Edom), along with Manasseh of Judah, among their tributaries. Esarhaddon also states that his father Sennacherib had reduced “Adumû, a fortified city of Arabia.”

Then Libnah revolted at the same time.—The point of the statement is that the success of Edom encouraged Libnah to throw off the Judæan supremacy. For the locality see Joshua 10:29 seq., Joshua 15:42; Joshua 21:13. Keil thinks the revolt of Libnah coincided with (it was probably supported by) the Philistine invasion recorded in 2 Chronicles 21:16, and continued until Uzziah reduced the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6 seq.). From the time of Hezekiah, Libnah again belonged to Judah (2 Kings 19:8; 2 Kings 23:31; 2 Kings 24:18).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Yet

"And so fulfilled. Ge 27:40."

Libnah

19:8; Joshua 21:13; 2 Chronicles 21:10