מלכים ב, פרק ח׳, פסוק כ׳

A long period of absolute Judean control comes to a dramatic end during the reign of Jehoram, as a major rebellion shifts the regional balance of power. For generations, Edom was entirely subordinate to the kingdom of Judah, lacking any political independence. Rather than allowing an independent ruler, the kings of Judah appointed a governor over Edom to manage local affairs and carry out their orders. However, as a direct result of Jehoram's sins, Edom successfully rises up, overthrows the Judean governor, and declares full independence by crowning their own king [רד״ק].

This coronation marks a significant historical turning point, as Edom had not been ruled by an independent king since the days of King David. While earlier records mention a king of Edom joining Jehoshaphat and Jehoram in battle against Moab, this figure was not an actual monarch. He was merely the Judean-appointed governor who was informally given the title of king [רש״י].

The renewal of the Edomite monarchy represents a precise historical closure. The book of Genesis lists exactly eight kings who ruled over Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites. In a direct historical parallel, exactly eight kings ruled over the Israelites—Ish-bosheth, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram—during a time when Edom was completely stripped of its royal independence. Only now, at the conclusion of the eighth Israelite king's reign, does sovereignty return to Edom as they finally crown a new king [רש״י].