Psalms 83:11
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Original Language Analysis
נְ֭דִיבֵימוֹ
their nobles
H5081
נְ֭דִיבֵימוֹ
their nobles
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
כְּעֹרֵ֣ב
like Oreb
H6159
כְּעֹרֵ֣ב
like Oreb
Strong's:
H6159
Word #:
3 of 8
oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan
Historical Context
Ancient warfare recognized leadership's importance. Killing enemy commanders could end conflicts quickly—David's defeat of Goliath routed Philistine armies (1 Samuel 17:51-52). Jezebel's elimination ended Baal worship's institutional support (2 Kings 9:30-37). Haman's execution delivered Persian Jews (Esther 7:10). The principle extends beyond military conflict: removing corrupt leadership enables reformation (2 Kings 23:4-25, Nehemiah 13:4-9). The four Midianite leaders named represent comprehensive defeat of enemy command structure at all levels—princes and kings, military and political leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture often focus on judging leaders more severely than followers, and what does this teach about leadership accountability?
- How should believers pray regarding corrupt or hostile political, cultural, or religious leadership?
- What biblical examples demonstrate that removing evil leadership can transform entire communities or nations?
Analysis & Commentary
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna. The prayer specifies judgment on enemy leadership. Shitemo nedivenmo k-Orev v-khi-Z'ev (שִׁיתֵמוֹ נְדִיבֵמוֹ כְּעֹרֵב וְכִזְאֵב, "make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb") invokes Gideon's victory where these Midianite princes were killed by Ephraimites (Judges 7:25). Oreb ("raven") and Zeeb ("wolf") died at locations named after them—the rock of Oreb and winepress of Zeeb—their names permanently memorializing their defeat.
V-khol nesikhenmo khi-Zevach v-khi-Tsalmunna (וּכְכָל־נְסִיכֵמוֹ כְּזֶבַח וּכְצַלְמֻנָּע, "all their princes as Zebah and as Zalmunna") references Midianite kings personally executed by Gideon (Judges 8:21) after they confessed to killing his brothers. The prayer asks for enemy leadership's comprehensive destruction—not just armies defeated but commanders eliminated, ensuring the threat doesn't resurface.
Targeting leadership has strategic logic: defeating generals demoralizes armies, killing kings ends dynasties, eliminating nobles prevents regrouping. But the deeper theological point concerns accountability. Leaders who instigate evil bear greater guilt than those who follow (James 3:1). The conspiracy's architects deserve special judgment. Similarly, Jesus pronounced severer condemnation on religious leaders who misled people (Matthew 23:13-36) than on common sinners they despised.