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2 Kings 8:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 8:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
2 Kings 8:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife; and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah.
19Howbeit Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant`s sake, as he promised him to give unto him a lamp for his children alway.
20In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
21Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
22So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then did Libnah revolt at the same time.
23And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
24And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So Joram went over to Zair, etc.] A city in Edom, the same with the Zaara of Ptolemy f107; some take it to be the same with Seir, the mountain or country of that name: and all the chariots with him; all the chariots of war he had: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about; who came out of their cities in great numbers, and surrounded him, he having entered into their country in an hostile way, to subdue them: and the captains of the chariots: which belonged to the Edomites; those he smote, (<142109>2 Chronicles 21:9) and the people fled into their tents; the army being routed.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Zair - Perhaps Seir, the famous mountain of Edom Genesis 14:6. The people - i. e., The Edomites. Yet, notwithstanding his success, Joram was forced to withdraw from the country, and to leave the natives to enjoy that independence 2 Kings 8:22, which continued until the time of John Hyrcanus, who once more reduced them. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Zair: Zair is supposed by Calmet and others to be the same as Seir, the country of Seir the Horite, inhabited by the Edomites or Idumeans. Probably the former was a dialectical pronunciation of the latter. Kg2 8:21 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification