So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day: So renders the common Hebrew conjunction. It functions here to introduce a summary statement of the consequences of Edom’s revolt. It may be omitted in translation for naturalness (so Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible). For revolted from the rule of Judah, see the comments on 2Chr 21.8. As indicated in the Good News Translation footnote, the Hebrew verb translated revolted from may have a slightly different meaning in this verse. It is quite possible that instead of indicating an active rebellion and open conflict, the meaning is rather that Edom simply lived an independent existence apart from any domination by Judah. Revised English Bible expresses this sense by saying “has remained independent of Judah” (similarly Good News Translation). For to this day, see the comments on 1 Chr 4.41.

At that time Libnah also revolted from his rule: The exact location of the city of Libnah is uncertain (see 1 Chr 6.57). It was most likely about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Jerusalem, near the Philistine border. The Hebrew leaves it implied that Libnah was a city, but this information may be made explicit in translation (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant). The pronoun his most likely refers to the kingdom of Judah rather than Jehoram since revolting from Judah is in view in the previous sentence. NET Bible makes the referent for this pronoun explicit by rendering the whole clause as “At the same time Libnah also rebelled and freed themselves from Judah’s control.”

Because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers: The Hebrew conjunction rendered because introduces why Jehoram was unable to crush the rebellions of Edom and Libnah against Judah. The pronoun he may be replaced by the proper name “Jehoram” (Good News Translation, New International Version) if there is any doubt about who is intended. The Hebrew verb translated forsaken may be better translated “abandoned” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible) or “left” (New Century Version). The God of his fathers means “the God of his ancestors” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version renders this whole clause well by saying “These things happened because Jehoram had turned away from the LORD, the God his ancestors had worshiped.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .