Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites who surrounded him with the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 21. Seira, or Idumea. Genesis 14:6.—Defeated. The Syriac and Arab. explain it in a contrary sense, as the Hebrew may well signify, and the sequel seems to prove, as the Edomites became independent. Hebrew “He rose … and attacked Edom that surrounded him, (with superior numbers) and the princes … and the people (of Israel) fled.” But the text will also bear the sense of the Vulg. which is conformable to 2 Chronicles 21:9, which does not say the people, and so forth though these words may be understood of the Edomites. Joram could not derive such advantage from his victory, as to reduce the nation under his obedience. Calmet.