The text highlights a profound reversal: the very places where these Midianite princes sought refuge became monuments to their defeat, forever marked with their names. This echoes how God can turn our perceived strengths or hiding places into arenas where His victory is displayed.
And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. Then they pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites, energized by their miraculous victory, pursued the fleeing Midianites. This verse captures the final moments of two enemy leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, who were killed by the men of Ephraim in specific locations that would forever bear their names. The narrative highlights the thoroughness of the Israelite victory, showing how these defeated chieftains were brought to Gideon, even across the Jordan River, completing the account of this major battle.
Ever notice how places get named after significant events or people? This verse shows that happening in real-time, immortalizing a moment of divine justice.
The names of the two captured Midianite princes, Oreb and Zeeb, become etched into the very landscape. Oreb is slain 'upon the rock of Oreb,' and Zeeb 'at the winepress of Zeeb.'
A Living Memorial
This wasn't just a poetic description; these places were named after the fallen princes. Imagine walking by a 'Raven's Rock' or a 'Wolf's Winepress' and knowing the grim story behind it. It’s a powerful way the Israelites would remember God’s deliverance and the judgment that fell on their enemies.
Deeper Meanings
Scholars suggest Oreb meant 'raven' and Zeeb meant 'wolf.' These animal names might reflect their fierce, predatory nature, or perhaps they were tribal totems. Regardless, the irony is thick: their own names, associated with these powerful, often scavenging creatures, became markers of their ultimate defeat and humiliation.
While Gideon is the main hero, this verse highlights the vital, often overlooked, work of others in securing the victory.
This passage reveals a critical moment where the men of Ephraim take decisive action against the fleeing Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb.
A Swift Pursuit
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Gideon's army had routed the main Midianite force, but the victory wasn't complete until their commanders were apprehended. The Ephraimites, hearing about the pursuit, intercepted Oreb and Zeeb, likely as they tried to escape across the Jordan River.
Completing the Victory
Bringing the heads of these two princes to Gideon (who was on the other side of the Jordan) was more than just a gruesome trophy; it was the confirmation that the enemy's leadership had been neutralized. This act by the Ephraimites was essential in fully dismantling the Midianite threat.
Understand the original words
sar · Hebrew Noun
A person of high rank or authority who leads a tribe or people; in this context, it refers to the leaders of the Midianite army.
yeqeb · Hebrew Noun
A place where grapes are trampled; it can symbolically represent the place of divine judgment, where the 'fruit' of wickedness is crushed under the weight of God's wrath.
This event highlights how places themselves can become living monuments to God's justice, with the very rocks and winepresses bearing the names of defeated enemies, a testament to the thoroughness of God's deliverance.
c. 11th Century BC
Midianite Oppression of Israel
The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, repeatedly raided Israelite territory, devastating crops and livestock, causing severe economic hardship and fear for about seven years.
c. 11th Century BC
Gideon's Call and Threshing Wheat
The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, a man from the tribe of Manasseh, and commissioned him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Gideon was found threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
c. 11th Century BC
Destruction of Baal's Altar
Gideon, following God's command, tore down his father's altar to Baal and built a new altar to the Lord, sacrificing a bull. This act led to him being called Jerubbaal ('Let Baal contend against him').
c. 11th Century BC
Gathering of Israelite Army
Gideon blew a trumpet, and Israelite forces gathered from various tribes, including Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, to confront the Midianites. God then reduced Gideon's army from thousands to just 300 men.
c. 11th Century BC
Victory at Mount Gilboa
Gideon's 300 men, using torches, pitchers, and trumpets, routed the vast Midianite army at Mount Gilboa, causing them to turn on each other in confusion and flee.
c. 11th Century BC— this verse
Capture and Death of Oreb and Zeeb
The Ephraimites pursued the fleeing Midianites across the Jordan River and captured two of their princes, Oreb and Zeeb. Oreb was killed at a rock that was subsequently named after him, and Zeeb was killed at a winepress named after him.
c. 11th Century BC
Pursuit to Karkor
Gideon and his 300 men, after crossing the Jordan, continued the pursuit of the remaining Midianite forces and their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, eventually defeating them at Karkor.
This psalm directly references the capture and death of Oreb and Zeeb, mentioning them by name as enemies of God's people who were defeated.
Isaiah 10:26This passage explicitly recalls the 'slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb,' directly linking the historical event in Judges to a future judgment and showing its lasting significance.
Judges 8:4-9This passage immediately follows and provides Gideon's personal involvement in the pursuit and the dealings with the remaining Midianites after the capture of Oreb and Zeeb, offering a fuller picture of the campaign.
Hebrews 11:32This verse in the 'Hall of Faith' lists Gideon as a hero of faith, implicitly including his decisive victory over Midian, which hinged on events like the capture of these princes.
bensonJudges 7:25: "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."
Jdg 7:25 . To Gideon on the other side of Jordan — For Gideon, in the pursuit, had passed over Jordan. Oreb and Zeeb had probably taken shelter, the one in a rock, the other by a wine-press. But the places of their shelter were made the places o…
pulpitJudges 7:25: "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."
Verse 25. - Oreb, a raven, and Zeeb, a wolf. The rock known afterwards as the rock of Oreb (Isaiah 10:26), and the wine-press (see Judges 6:11) known as the wine-press of Zeeb, were so called from being the places where these two princes were ta…
The text highlights a profound reversal: the very places where these Midianite princes sought refuge became monuments to their defeat, forever marked with their names. This echoes how God can turn our perceived strengths or hiding places into arenas where His victory is displayed.
The Israelites, energized by their miraculous victory, pursued the fleeing Midianites. This verse captures the final moments of two enemy leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, who were killed by the men of Ephraim in specific locations that would forever bear their names. The narrative highlights the thoroughness of the Israelite victory, showing how these defeated chieftains were brought to Gideon, even across the Jordan River, completing the account of this major battle.
The Israelites, energized by their miraculous victory, pursued the fleeing Midianites. This verse captures the final moments of two enemy leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, who were killed by the men of Ephraim in specific locations that would forever bear their names. The narrative highlights the thoroughness of the Israelite victory, showing how these defeated chieftains were brought to Gideon, even across the Jordan River, completing the account of this major battle.
"And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. Then they pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jor…" — The text highlights a profound reversal: the very places where these Midianite princes sought refuge became monuments to their defeat, forever marked with their names. This echoes how God can turn ou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
