In his days Edom revolted from the rule of Judah: In his days is during the time that Jehoram was ruler over the kingdom of Judah. During the reign of Jehoshaphat, the people of Edom had been subject to the southern kingdom (see the comments on 2 Kgs 3.8-9). This begins a new topic in the reign of Jehoram, and for this reason most versions begin a new paragraph at this point. Edom’s revolt against Judah fulfills the words of Isaac to Esau in Gen 27.40.

Instead of Edom, some languages will require “the people of Edom,” “the Edomites” (Parole de Vie), or possibly “the kingdom of Edom” as the subject of the verb revolted.

Revolted from the rule of Judah is literally “revolted from under the hand of Judah.” The translation of this expression in other languages may be something like “refused to submit to the king of Judah” or “stopped obeying the king of Judah.” Some other possible translations are “rebelled against Judah’s rule” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “renounced their allegiance to Juda” (Knox), and “threw off the domination of Judah” (New Jerusalem Bible, Osty-Trinquet).

Set up a king of their own: The text actually has a causative form of the Hebrew verb meaning “to become king [or queen].” Jewish Publication Version translates “made a king over themselves.” Another possibility would be “chose their own king” (New Century Version; similarly New American Bible). According to 1 Kgs 22.47, a governor or deputy appointed by the king of Judah had ruled Edom while it was under the domination of Judah.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .