מלכים ב, פרק ח׳, פסוק כ״ב

The loss of control over the Edomites dealt a severe strategic and economic blow to the Kingdom of Judah. This uprising not only shattered the kingdom's security but also halted the steady flow of tax payments from Edom. Furthermore, it threatened to disrupt the crucial southern trade routes that stretched to Eilat [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Following this complete detachment [מלבי״ם], a secondary wave of rebellion erupted in a city known as Libnah. Commentators present different views regarding the true identity of this city and the circumstances of its uprising. One approach suggests that Libnah was actually a city within the Land of Israel, located in the territory of the tribe of Judah. According to this perspective, the local residents seized the moment, likely capitalizing on the perceived weakness of King Jehoram [ביאור שטיינזלץ], to rise up against the Judean monarchy [רש״י, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. The city's geographical closeness to Edom might explain why these two rebellions happened so near to one another [מצודת דוד].

In contrast, another perspective argues that Libnah was not an Israelite city at all, but rather an Edomite settlement situated unusually close to the Israeli border. From this point of view, the timing of Libnah's uprising differed from the broader Edomite revolt. While the rest of Edom broke away immediately, Libnah held back, choosing to rebel only after the initial conflict had concluded [רד״ק].