King James Version

What Does Judges 7:25 Mean?

Judges 7:25 in the King James Version says “And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at... — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

23

And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

24

And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

25

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chapter concludes with Ephraimite complaint: they 'pursued after the Midianites' and captured the princes Oreb and Zeeb, then 'brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.' This detail sets up chapter 8's conflict where Ephraim angrily questions why they weren't summoned initially (8:1). Their pride in capturing the princes and subsequent offense at their secondary role demonstrates the tribal jealousies and lack of unity characterizing the judges period. Despite God's miraculous victory, human pride and division immediately resurface.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ephraim, descended from Joseph's younger son who received the birthright blessing (Genesis 48:14-20), held significant tribal pride and expected leadership among the northern tribes. Their central territorial location in the hill country, possession of Shiloh (the tabernacle site), and the tradition of Joshua being an Ephraimite (Joshua 19:49-50) all contributed to Ephraimite superiority expectations. Later, when the kingdom divided, the northern kingdom was sometimes called 'Ephraim' (Hosea, Isaiah).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ephraim's pride after contributing to Gideon's victory illustrate the danger of seeking credit for God's work?
  2. What does the immediate emergence of tribal jealousy despite miraculous deliverance teach about the persistence of sin even after great blessings?
  3. When have you experienced or witnessed similar conflicts arising from pride and jealousy even in contexts of spiritual victory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַֽיִּלְכְּד֡וּ1 of 29

And they took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

שְׁנֵֽי2 of 29

two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׂרֵ֨י3 of 29

princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מִדְיָ֑ן4 of 29

Midian

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

אֶת5 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֹרֵ֣ב6 of 29

Oreb

H6159

oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan

וְאֶת7 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּזְאֵ֔ב8 of 29

and Zeeb

H2062

zeeb, a midianitish prince

הָֽרְג֣וּ9 of 29

and they slew

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת10 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֹרֵ֣ב11 of 29

Oreb

H6159

oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan

בְּצוּר12 of 29

upon the rock

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

עֹרֵ֣ב13 of 29

Oreb

H6159

oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan

וְאֶת14 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּזְאֵ֔ב15 of 29

and Zeeb

H2062

zeeb, a midianitish prince

הָֽרְג֣וּ16 of 29

and they slew

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בְיֶֽקֶב17 of 29

at the winepress

H3342

a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)

וּזְאֵ֔ב18 of 29

and Zeeb

H2062

zeeb, a midianitish prince

וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ19 of 29

and pursued

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אֶל20 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִדְיָ֑ן21 of 29

Midian

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

וְרֹאשׁ22 of 29

the heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

עֹרֵ֣ב23 of 29

Oreb

H6159

oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan

וּזְאֵ֔ב24 of 29

and Zeeb

H2062

zeeb, a midianitish prince

הֵבִ֙יאוּ֙25 of 29

and brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל26 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּדְע֔וֹן27 of 29

to Gideon

H1439

gidon, an israelite

מֵעֵ֖בֶר28 of 29

on the other side

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

לַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃29 of 29

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 7:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 7:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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