Judges 7 25

Judges 7:25 kjv

And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

Judges 7:25 nkjv

And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.

Judges 7:25 niv

They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

Judges 7:25 esv

And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. Then they pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan.

Judges 7:25 nlt

They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. And they continued to chase the Midianites. Afterward the Israelites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan River.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 25 Meaning

Judges 7:25 narrates the conclusive act of the Midianite rout initiated by Gideon's forces, specifically carried out by the men of Ephraim. It details the capture and execution of two principal Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, at specific locations which subsequently bear their names as memorials to this defeat: the Rock of Oreb and the Winepress of Zeeb. Their severed heads were then brought to Gideon, who was positioned across the Jordan River, signifying a decisive victory and proof of the leaders' demise, thus consolidating the triumph over the oppressive Midianites.

Judges 7 25 Context

Judges chapter 7 describes the miraculous victory of Gideon and his three hundred men over the vast army of Midian and their allies, achieved primarily through divine strategy and the terror caused by the noise of trumpets and breaking pitchers. The initial rout resulted in a chaotic flight of the Midianites. Gideon then sent out messengers to rouse the Israelite tribes, particularly Ephraim, to cut off the fleeing enemy. Verse 25 highlights Ephraim's role in this pursuit, specifically their success in capturing and executing two key Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. This event signals a decisive turning point in the Midianite war, completing the rout and providing tangible proof of the enemy's leadership downfall to Gideon, who was positioned on the east side of the Jordan, preparing for further pursuit. Historically, the Midianites were a nomadic people who had oppressed Israel for seven years, raiding their crops and livestock, leading to severe famine and hardship. This victory was thus a moment of crucial liberation for Israel.

Judges 7 25 Word analysis

• And they captured (וַיִּלְכְּדוּ, wayyilkedû): From the root לָכַד (lakad), meaning "to seize," "capture," "take captive." It implies a decisive, successful act of apprehending the leaders. This wasn't a casual encounter but a targeted pursuit and apprehension. The verb's frequent use in warfare contexts (e.g., capture of cities) emphasizes its finality here.
• two princes (שְׁנֵי שָׂרֵי, shĕnê sārê):
  • שְׁנֵי (shĕnê): "Two." Emphasizes a precise, limited number of high-ranking individuals targeted.
  • שָׂרֵי (sārê): From שַׂר (sar), meaning "prince," "chief," "commander," "leader." These were not ordinary soldiers but military commanders, significant figures in the Midianite coalition. Their capture and death symbolize the shattering of Midianite command structure.
• of Midian (מִדְיָן, Miḏyān): Refers to the people who were Israel's oppressors. This defeat signified their humiliation and the turning of the tide against Israel's subjugators. The defeat of these specific leaders broke the back of the Midianite oppressive presence.
• Oreb (עֹרֵב, ‘Ōrēv): Meaning "raven" in Hebrew. This name is significant; it is a vivid image for a chieftain, perhaps indicating keen sight or predatory nature, consistent with a raiding culture.
• and Zeeb (וּזְאֵב, ûZĕ’ēḇ): Meaning "wolf" in Hebrew. Another fitting name for a nomadic, predatory chieftain. Together, "Raven" and "Wolf" convey an image of relentless and fierce oppressors. Their names, representing predators, now paradoxically signify their defeat.
• and they killed (וַיַּהַרְגוּ, wayyahargû): From הָרַג (harag), meaning "to kill," "slay." This is a straightforward declaration of their execution, marking the end of their threat. It's a clear, decisive action.
• Oreb on the rock of Oreb (עֹרֵב בְּצוּר־עֹרֵב, ‘Ōrēḇ bĕṣūr-‘Ōrēḇ):
  • בְּצוּר־ (bĕṣūr): "At the rock of." The term צוּר (tsur) means "rock," "cliff." Rocks are prominent geological features often serving as natural strongholds or landmarks.
  • This phrase marks the place with Oreb's name. This acts as a perpetual memorial and a monument to Israel's victory and Midian's defeat. Such naming of places after significant events is common in the Old Testament, cementing history in the landscape.
• and Zeeb they killed by the winepress of Zeeb (וּזְאֵב הָרְגוּ בְּיֶקֶב־זְאֵב, ûZĕ’ēḇ hāragû bĕyeqev-Zĕ’ēḇ):
  • בְּיֶקֶב־ (bĕyeqev): "By the winepress of." A winepress (יֶקֶב, yeqev) is a place for treading grapes, a place of harvest and a sign of productive agricultural life. Killing a chieftain at a winepress—a place associated with Israelite prosperity—is deeply symbolic. It signifies the end of Midianite oppression which had disrupted Israel's agricultural life and the restoration of normal life and produce for Israel. It also connects to the idea of God "treading out" His wrath upon enemies, much like grapes are trodden in a press (cf. Isa 63:3, Rev 14:19-20).
  • Similarly, naming the site after Zeeb ensures a lasting memorial to the Midianite defeat.
• And they brought the heads (וַיָּבִיאוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ, wayyāvî’û ’eṯ-rō’sh): "Heads" in the plural, emphasizing both commanders' deaths. Bringing heads was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to prove a kill, demoralize the enemy, and honor the victor. It was incontrovertible proof of the successful mission.
• of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon (עֹרֵב וּזְאֵב אֶל־גִּדְעוֹן, ‘Ōrēḇ ûZĕ’ēḇ ’el-Giḏ‘ôn): Direct accountability and confirmation to the commanding general. This action confirms Ephraim's active participation and success, despite their later complaints. It's an offering of the fruits of victory to the leader.
• across the Jordan (מֵעֵבֶר לַיַּרְדֵּן, mē‘ēver layyardēn): Signifies that Gideon was on the east bank of the Jordan, having pursued the fleeing Midianites across the river. This indicates the extent of the pursuit and that the Midianite threat was driven far from the main Israelite territories west of the Jordan. It also sets the stage for Gideon's further pursuit of the remaining Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, on the other side.

Words-group analysis

• "And they captured two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they killed Oreb on the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed by the winepress of Zeeb.": This segment demonstrates divine justice. The two oppressive leaders are decisively defeated, their names ironically given to the very places of their demise, transforming sites of Israelite life (rock, winepress) into permanent monuments to Midian's judgment and Israel's deliverance. The names Oreb ("raven") and Zeeb ("wolf"), evocative of predatory animals, become symbols of the conquered rather than the conqueror. This signifies a reversal of power, ordained by God.
• "And they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan.": This climactic action emphasizes the finality of the victory over these particular commanders. The bringing of heads to Gideon, who was positioned beyond the Jordan, not only validates Ephraim's decisive action but also prepares the reader for Gideon's subsequent actions in pursuing the last remnants of the Midianite army. It symbolizes the transfer of power and authority from the Midianite oppressors back to the divinely-appointed leader of Israel. It shows the concrete evidence of victory being delivered to the primary agent of God's liberation.

Judges 7 25 Bonus section

The capture and execution of Oreb and Zeeb illustrate a critical element in ancient warfare: neutralizing enemy command to ensure a complete rout. The mention of "across the Jordan" not only provides a geographical reference but also underscores Gideon's unwavering commitment to complete the task of freeing Israel, pushing the battle even into foreign territories where the remaining enemy forces had fled. This demonstrates a deep reliance on God to grant victory beyond mere strategic planning. The names Oreb (raven) and Zeeb (wolf) are often cited by scholars as not only fitting descriptions of predatory chieftains but also as serving a polemic purpose. These animals were revered in some ancient cultures as powerful, but here, they represent pagan leaders utterly defeated by the God of Israel, showing the Lord's supremacy over any perceived power of other gods or forces represented by these creatures. This decisive act secured Israel's borders from immediate Midianite threats, even though later interactions with various Midianite groups would continue, marking this particular victory as a historical watershed against a significant, long-term oppression.

Judges 7 25 Commentary

Judges 7:25 marks the triumphant conclusion to the initial phase of the battle against Midian. The capture and execution of Oreb and Zeeb, two prominent Midianite princes, by the men of Ephraim, symbolizes the decisive crushing of the enemy's leadership. The choice of killing sites—the Rock of Oreb and the Winepress of Zeeb—is deeply significant. The "Rock" implies a place of strength, now made a monument to Midian's weakness. The "Winepress" connects the victory to agricultural bounty and the shedding of the enemy's "blood" (wrath) like grapes, turning a place of peaceful harvest into a scene of righteous judgment. These named places ensure the historical memory of this divine intervention and the ignominious end of Israel's oppressors. The act of bringing their severed heads to Gideon confirmed the success of Ephraim's mission and provided Gideon with the necessary assurance to press on with the war against the remaining Midianite kings. It is a testament to God's hand in empowering His people to achieve complete victory over their foes, bringing forth liberty where there had been long oppression.Examples: This victory foreshadows how God's enemies will ultimately be overthrown, whether they are physical oppressors or spiritual strongholds in a believer's life. The strategic naming of the locations ensures the lasting memory of divine judgment and the deliverer's faithfulness.