Bible Strands
Judges 8:12
When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Gideon’s pursuit of the fleeing Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna immediately after his surprise eastern attack (Judges 8:11) and before his return along the Ascent of Heres (Judges 8:13).
The words — וַ/יָּנ֗וּסוּ (va/i.ya.Nu.su) translates as “and they fled,” while וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֞ד (va/i.yil.Kod) means “and he captured,” marking the narrative shift from enemy retreat to decisive seizure.
The thread — This capture sequence is referenced in Psalms 83:11 as a benchmark for divine judgment against nobles, while Joshua 10:16 and Joshua 10:22 establish a parallel narrative pattern of fleeing kings being located and seized after battle.
Why it lands — The text records the complete rout of the Midianite army through the capture of its leaders, demonstrating that military success requires pursuing fleeing enemies to their end rather than halting at partial victory.
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 when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
Cross-references
- Psalms 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
- Joshua 10:16 Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
- Joshua 10:22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.”
- Job 12:16 True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.
- Job 34:19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
- Amos 2:14 Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.
- Revelation 6:15 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
- Revelation 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army.