Bible Strands
Judges 7:25
They also captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. So they pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative continues Gideon's coordinated pursuit of the fleeing Midianite army after the men of Ephraim secured the Jordan fords. The text records the capture, execution, and presentation of two enemy leaders to Gideon.
The words — וַֽ/יִּלְכְּד֡וּ (va/i.yil.ke.Du) translates as "and they captured," and שָׂרֵ֨י (sa.Rei) means "commanders" or "princes." These terms specifically identify Oreb and Zeeb as the targeted military leadership rather than ordinary soldiers.
The thread — This event resurfaces in Isaiah 10:26 as a paradigm of divine judgment, in Judges 8:3 as a catalyst for tribal tension, and in Psalm 83:11 as a shorthand for fallen nobility.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that the captors killed the leaders at named locations and delivered their heads to Gideon. This factual sequence requires readers to note how the removal of specific commanders establishes a historical pattern later invoked to explain national defeat.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 10:26 And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.
- Judges 8:3 God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.
- Psalms 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
- Joshua 7:26 And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.