Psalm 83 11

Psalm 83:11 kjv

Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

Psalm 83:11 nkjv

Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

Psalm 83:11 niv

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

Psalm 83:11 esv

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

Psalm 83:11 nlt

Let their mighty nobles die as Oreb and Zeeb did.
Let all their princes die like Zebah and Zalmunna,

Psalm 83 verses

Psalm 83 11 Meaning

Psalm 83:11 is a fervent prayer asking God to decisively defeat the contemporary enemies of His people, mirroring the comprehensive and humiliating judgment He inflicted upon the Midianite leadership in ancient times. It is a petition for God to bring public disgrace and ultimate destruction upon the rulers and commanders of those who plot against God and His heritage, thereby establishing His supreme authority.

Psalm 83 11 Context

Psalm 83 is a national lament, a prayer to God in a time of severe threat. The psalmist Asaph describes a vast confederacy of nations (v. 6-8) conspiring against God's people and His covenant (v. 3-5). Their aim is to completely wipe out Israel's memory and inheritance. Within this plea for divine intervention, verse 11 specifically petitions God to act in a manner reminiscent of His past, decisive victories over oppressive enemies. The naming of Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna recalls the powerful deliverance God provided through Gideon against the Midianites (Judges 7-8). This reference grounds the psalmist's prayer in God's historical pattern of righteous judgment and victory against those who defy His people. The ultimate goal of the psalm (vv. 16-18) is for God's name to be known and His unique sovereignty recognized among all nations through His judgment.

Psalm 83 11 Word analysis

• Make: (עָשָׂה - ʿasah) This verb implies divine action, a purposeful and powerful intervention by God to shape events. It is a petition, not a wish, demanding God's execution of His righteous judgment, aligning human desire with divine will.
• their nobles: (נְדִיבֵימוֹ - nəḏīḇêhemō) Refers to the "willing ones" or "princes," often indicating persons of high status, free will, or noble birth who willingly come forward (often in leadership or battle). Here, it specifically points to the proud and prominent leaders who willingly initiated or joined the hostile conspiracy, highlighting their personal responsibility and the public humiliation requested.
• like Oreb and like Zeeb: (עֹרֵב - ʿōrēḇ, "raven"; זְאֵב - zəʾēḇ, "wolf"). These were two Midianite princes, not kings (Judges 7:25). They were captured and summarily executed by Ephraimites in a cave and at a winepress, away from the main battle. Their heads were brought to Gideon. This reference signifies swift, decisive, and particularly humiliating and public slaughter of significant but not highest-tier enemy leadership. It marks the initial, brutal phase of divine retribution.
• and all their princes: (שָׂרֵיהֶם - śārêhem) A broader term for "chiefs," "officers," or "commanders," encompassing the wider scope of military and administrative leadership. This indicates a desire for the comprehensive defeat of all those holding power and authority within the hostile coalition.
• like Zebah and like Zalmunna: (זֶבַח - zebaḥ, "sacrifice"; צַלְמֻנָּע - ṣalmunnaʿ, "shadow withheld/protected from shade"). These were the two Midianite kings, the ultimate rulers (Judges 8:5-21). They managed to escape the initial rout but were relentlessly pursued by Gideon, eventually captured, interrogated, and executed by Gideon himself. This reference signifies a complete, thorough, and inescapable judgment on the highest echelons of enemy power, involving a tracking down of all who evaded immediate defeat. It represents the final, decisive eradication of their leadership, leaving no possibility of resurgence.

• Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb; and all their princes like Zebah and like Zalmunna: This structured comparison reveals a petition for a dual-layered, total judgment. The mention of Oreb and Zeeb first indicates a desire for the immediate and humiliating slaughter of the front-line, high-ranking leaders. The subsequent petition regarding Zebah and Zalmunna signifies the complete and absolute annihilation of the highest royal authority, pursued until every remnant of command is extinguished. Together, they represent an all-encompassing defeat that starts from the notable figures and extends to the very apex of enemy power, leaving no one in charge and no room for revival. The psalmist desires that God's justice would be as thorough and conclusive as these historical Midianite judgments.

Psalm 83 11 Bonus section

The request in Psalm 83:11, while strong, should be understood through the lens of divine justice rather than personal vengeance. The psalmist is calling upon God to exercise His prerogative as the righteous Judge of all the earth against those who defy Him and threaten His chosen people. The specificity of the names "Oreb and Zeeb," and "Zebah and Zalmunna" functions as a powerful theological argument: "Lord, you have done this before in history; your character and power remain the same, so do it again!" This petition grounds the prayer for future deliverance in the undeniable acts of God's past faithfulness and power, demonstrating a faith that God is consistent in His dealings with both His people and His adversaries. It also serves as a warning to those who oppose God, emphasizing that no level of human power or influence can withstand His ultimate judgment.

Psalm 83 11 Commentary

Psalm 83:11 expresses a fervent appeal for God's divine justice against a coalition of enemies threatening His people. By invoking the specific, well-known historical precedents of Oreb and Zeeb, and Zebah and Zalmunna, the psalmist requests not merely a defeat but a particularly ignominious and decisive overthrow of all enemy leadership. The first pair of names, Midianite princes who met a swift and humiliating end, suggests a desire for the immediate and public disgrace of prominent leaders. The second pair, the Midianite kings relentlessly pursued and executed, signifies a plea for the complete and absolute eradication of the highest echelons of power. This imprecatory prayer arises not from personal malice but from a deep concern for God's honor and the security of His covenant people. It highlights the belief that God is actively involved in history, executing righteous judgment to vindicate His name and ensure His ultimate sovereignty.