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. They captured Oreb and ZeebThe capture of Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, signifies a pivotal moment in the Israelites' victory over their oppressors. The names "Oreb" and "Zeeb" mean "raven" and "wolf," respectively, which may symbolize their predatory nature and the threat they posed to Israel. Historically, the Midianites were a nomadic people who often raided Israel, and capturing their leaders would have been a significant blow to their morale and power. the two princes of Midian
The term "princes" indicates that Oreb and Zeeb were leaders of high status within the Midianite hierarchy. In the ancient Near Eastern context, capturing or killing enemy leaders was a common practice to destabilize and demoralize the opposing forces. The Midianites, descendants of Abraham through Keturah, had become adversaries of Israel, and their defeat was crucial for Israel's survival and peace. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb
The "rock of Oreb" becomes a landmark of divine justice and victory. In Hebrew, "rock" often symbolizes strength and refuge, yet here it becomes the site of Oreb's downfall. This act of killing Oreb at a specific location underscores the completeness of God's deliverance and the turning of what might have been a place of refuge into a place of judgment. and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb
Similarly, the "winepress of Zeeb" marks the place of Zeeb's execution. A winepress, typically a place of harvest and joy, becomes a site of judgment and defeat. This transformation of a place of abundance into a place of death highlights the reversal of fortunes orchestrated by God. It also echoes Gideon's initial encounter with the angel of the Lord at a winepress, symbolizing the beginning and culmination of God's deliverance. They pursued the Midianites
The pursuit of the Midianites demonstrates the relentless nature of God's deliverance through His people. The Israelites, empowered by divine intervention, chase their enemies to ensure a complete victory. This pursuit signifies the thoroughness with which God deals with the oppressors of His people, leaving no room for future threats. and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon
Bringing the heads of the defeated princes to Gideon serves as a tangible proof of victory and a fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Israel through Gideon. In ancient warfare, presenting the heads of defeated leaders was a common practice to confirm victory and instill fear in remaining adversaries. It also serves as a testament to Gideon's leadership and God's faithfulness. by the Jordan
The mention of the Jordan River situates this victory within the broader narrative of Israel's history. The Jordan was a significant geographical and spiritual landmark for Israel, symbolizing transitions and divine interventions, such as the crossing into the Promised Land. Here, it marks the boundary of Israel's renewed freedom and security, achieved through God's miraculous intervention. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonThe judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is a central figure in this account, leading the Israelites to victory. 2. Oreb and ZeebThe two princes of Midian captured and killed by the Israelites. Their names mean "raven" and "wolf," respectively, symbolizing their predatory nature. 3. The Rock of Oreb and the Winepress of ZeebThese locations are named after the Midianite princes, marking the places of their defeat and death. 4. The MidianitesA nomadic people who oppressed Israel for seven years. They are the primary antagonists in the account of Gideon. 5. The Jordan RiverA significant geographical landmark in Israel's history, representing a boundary and a place of transition. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceThe capture and defeat of Oreb and Zeeb demonstrate God's control over the events and His ability to deliver His people through seemingly impossible circumstances. The Importance of ObedienceGideon's success was rooted in his obedience to God's unconventional battle plan, reminding us of the importance of following God's guidance even when it defies human logic. Symbolism of VictoryThe naming of the rock and winepress after the defeated princes serves as a lasting reminder of God's victory, encouraging us to remember and celebrate God's past deliverances in our lives. The Role of LeadershipGideon's leadership was crucial in rallying the Israelites and executing God's plan, highlighting the importance of godly leadership in achieving victory over spiritual battles. The Power of UnityThe Israelites' collective effort in pursuing and defeating the Midianites underscores the strength found in unity and cooperation among God's people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the defeat of Oreb and Zeeb illustrate God's power and faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can we apply Gideon's obedience to God's unconventional plans in our own lives today? 3. How do the locations named after Oreb and Zeeb serve as reminders of God's deliverance, and what are some personal "landmarks" of God's faithfulness in your life? 4. What can we learn from Gideon's leadership that can be applied to our roles in our families, churches, or communities? 5. How does the unity of the Israelites in pursuing the Midianites inspire us to work together as a community of believers in facing challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 6-8Provides the broader context of Gideon's account, including his calling, the reduction of his army, and the miraculous victory over the Midianites. Isaiah 9:4References the defeat of Midian as a symbol of God's deliverance, connecting Gideon's victory to future acts of divine salvation. Psalm 83:11Mentions Oreb and Zeeb in a prayer for God to defeat Israel's enemies, showing their defeat as a lasting symbol of God's power. People Abel, Amalek, Amalekites, Asher, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Oreb, Phurah, ZeebPlaces Abel-meholah, Beth-barah, Beth-shittah, Harod, Jordan River, Midian, Mount Gilead, Ophrah, Tabbath, ZererahTopics Across, Beyond, Capture, Captured, Chiefs, Death, Gideon, Grape-crushing, Heads, Jordan, Killed, Leaders, Midian, Mid'ian, Midianite, Midianites, Oreb, Press, Princes, Pursue, Pursued, Rock, Slain, Slay, Slew, Wine, Winepress, Wine-press, Wine-vat, ZeebDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:25 4354 rock
4546 winepress Library A Great victory
TEXT: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp, and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."--Judges 7:21. Few things in this world are so inspiring to the traveler and at the same time so depressing as a city or temple in ruins. I remember a delightful experience in passing through the ruins of Karnak and Luxor, on the Nile in Egypt, and later passing through Phylae at Assuan on the Nile; and these two thoughts, each the opposite of the other, kept constantly coming to my mind. …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotAugust 18. "The Three Hundred Blew the Trumpets" (Judges vii. 22).
"The three hundred blew the trumpets" (Judges vii. 22). We little dream, sometimes, what a hasty word, a thoughtless speech, an imprudent act, or a confession of unbelief and fear may do to hinder our highest usefulness, or turn it aside from some great opportunity which God has been preparing for us. Although the Holy Ghost uses weak men, He does not want them to be weak after He chooses and calls them. Although He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, He does not want us to be foolish after …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth 'Fit, Though Few'
'Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 3. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Battle Without a Sword
'And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley-bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14. And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. 15, And it was so, when Gideon heard the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
1801-1832 The Bible Carey's missionary weapon--Other vernacular translators--Carey's modest but just description of his labours--His philological key--Type-cutting and type-casting by a Hindoo blacksmith--The first manufacture of paper and steam-engines in the East--Carey takes stock of the translation work at the opening of 1808--In his workshop--A seminary of Bible translators--William Yates, shoemaker, the Coverdale of the Bengali Bible--Wenger--A Bengali Luther wanted--Carey's Bengali Bible--How …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey The New Convert.
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of External Things is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by auguries, omens, and by like observations of external things is not unlawful. If it were unlawful holy men would not make use thereof. Now we read of Joseph that he paid attention to auguries, for it is related (Gn. 44:5) that Joseph's steward said: "The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh and in which he is wont to divine [augurari]": and he himself afterwards said to his brethren (Gn. 44:15): "Know you not that there is no one …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that fear is not a mortal sin. For, as stated above ([3323]FS, Q[23], A[1]), fear is in the irascible faculty which is a part of the sensuality. Now there is none but venial sin in the sensuality, as stated above ([3324]FS, Q[74], A[4]). Therefore fear is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, every mortal sin turns the heart wholly from God. But fear does not this, for a gloss on Judges 7:3, "Whosoever is fearful," etc., says that "a man is fearful when he trembles at the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Immanuel
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL , God with us. T here is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glow-worm proclaims His glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass, are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In His Word likewise He is …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 7:25 NIVJudges 7:25 NLTJudges 7:25 ESVJudges 7:25 NASBJudges 7:25 KJV
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