Judges 7:25

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽיִּלְכְּד֡וּ

H3920

And they took

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

שְׁנֵֽי

H8147

two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

מִדְיָ֑ן

H4080

Midian

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

אֶת

H853

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

עֹרֵ֣ב

H6159

Oreb

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

וְאֶת

H853

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

וּזְאֵ֔ב

H2062

and Zeeb

zeeb, a midianitish prince

הָֽרְג֣וּ

H2026

and they slew

to smite with deadly intent

#10

אֶת

H853

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

#11

עֹרֵ֣ב

H6159

Oreb

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

#12

בְּצוּר

H6697

upon the rock

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

#13

עֹרֵ֣ב

H6159

Oreb

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

#14

וְאֶת

H853

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

#15

וּזְאֵ֔ב

H2062

and Zeeb

zeeb, a midianitish prince

#16

הָֽרְג֣וּ

H2026

and they slew

to smite with deadly intent

#17

בְיֶֽקֶב

H3342

at the winepress

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)

#18

וּזְאֵ֔ב

H2062

and Zeeb

zeeb, a midianitish prince

#19

וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ

H7291

and pursued

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

#20

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#21

מִדְיָ֑ן

H4080

Midian

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

#22

וְרֹאשׁ

H7218

the heads

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

#23

עֹרֵ֣ב

H6159

Oreb

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

#24

וּזְאֵ֔ב

H2062

and Zeeb

zeeb, a midianitish prince

#25

הֵבִ֙יאוּ֙

H935

and brought

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

#26

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#27

גִּדְע֔וֹן

H1439

to Gideon

gidon, an israelite

#28

מֵעֵ֖בֶר

H5676

on the other side

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

#29

לַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃

H3383

Jordan

jarden, the principal river of palestine

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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