Zeeb was a Midianite prince mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in the context of Gideon's military campaign against the Midianites. His name, which means "wolf" in Hebrew, is indicative of the ferocity and predatory nature often associated with the Midianite oppression of Israel during this period.

Biblical Account

Zeeb, along with another Midianite prince named Oreb, played a significant role in the narrative of Gideon's victory over the Midianites. The account is primarily found in Judges 7 and 8. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, had been oppressing the Israelites, leading them to cry out to the Lord for deliverance. God raised up Gideon as a judge to deliver Israel from their oppressors.

In Judges 7:25, the Bible records the capture and execution of Zeeb: "They captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan." This verse highlights the decisive nature of Gideon's victory and the complete overthrow of the Midianite leadership.

Historical and Theological Significance

The defeat of Zeeb and Oreb is significant for several reasons. First, it marks a turning point in the struggle between Israel and the Midianites, showcasing God's deliverance through Gideon. The capture and execution of these princes symbolize the end of Midianite dominance and the restoration of peace and security to Israel.

From a theological perspective, the account of Zeeb underscores the theme of divine intervention and deliverance. Despite the overwhelming odds, God used Gideon and a small band of 300 men to defeat a vast Midianite army, demonstrating that victory comes not by human might but by the power of God. This narrative reinforces the biblical principle that God is sovereign and faithful to His covenant people, delivering them from their enemies when they turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Cultural and Literary Context

The names and locations associated with Zeeb, such as the "rock of Oreb" and the "winepress of Zeeb," have cultural and literary significance. These sites became memorials of God's deliverance and were likely well-known landmarks in the region. The use of such vivid imagery in the narrative serves to emphasize the dramatic nature of the events and the totality of the victory achieved by Gideon under God's guidance.

In summary, Zeeb's role in the biblical narrative is a testament to God's power to save and the importance of faithful leadership in the face of adversity. His defeat, along with that of Oreb, is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel's judges, illustrating the triumph of divine justice over oppression.Zeeb

wolf

Zeeb

(wolf), one of the two "princes" of Midian in the great invasion of Israel. (B.C. about 1250.) He is always named with Oreb. (Judges 7:25; 8:3; Psalms 83:11) Zeeb and Oreb were not slain at the first rout of the Arabs, but at a later stage of the struggle, probably ill crossing the Jordan at a ford farther down the river. Zeeb, the wolf, was brought to bay in a wine-press which in later times bore his name --the "wine-press of Zeeb." [OREB]

The wolf, one of the two leaders of the great Midianite host which invaded Israel and was utterly routed by Gideon. The division of that host, which attempted to escape across the Jordan, under Oreb and Zeeb, was overtaken by the Ephraimites, who, in a great battle, completely vanquished them, their leaders being taken and slain (Judges 7:25; Psalm 83:11; Isaiah 10:26). OREB; ZEEB

o'-reb, ze'-eb, zeb (`orebh, "raven," especially "crow"), and (ze'ebh, "wolf") (Judges 7:25; Judges 8:3 Psalm 83:11, Isaiah 10:26 (Oreb only)): Two Midianite chieftains captured and beheaded by the Ephraimites, who brought their heads to Gideon.

1. Meaning of Names:

As to the meaning of the two names, both words are found in Arabic. Robertson Smith, Kinship, etc. (190;, 218;), says that the use of the names of animals as names of persons is a relic of totemism. But Noldeke (ZDMG, XL, 160;) and others hold that such a use shows a desire that those so named should be as disagreeable to their enemies as the plant or animal which the name denoted. Some again (e.g. Stade, Geschichte, 189;) maintain that the two names here are borrowed from localities and not vice versa, as Judges 7:25 implies. If so, we must take the names to be originally two places, apparently in Ephraim, for the words "beyond Jordan" in 7:25 contradict 8:4, where it is said that Gideon came to the Jordan and passed over. Moore (Judges, 214) suggests that the two localities were near the junction with the Jordan of the stream that comes from Wady Far`ah. The construction of the Hebrew allows of a translation "the rock (called) Oreb," and "the winepress (called) Zeeb."

2. The Battle of Oreb:

The account of a battle here is corroborated by Isaiah 10:26, a verse which mentions the "rock of Oreb," and suggests that the great defeat of the Midianites took place there (compare Isaiah 9:4). The passage in Isaiah 10:24-26 is prose, however, and is said to be late editing (see G.H. Box, Isaiah, 65). In Psalm 83:11 (Hebrew 12) there is a prayer that God would make the "nobles" among the Psalmist's enemies as Oreb and Zeeb.

David Francis Roberts

ZEEB

ze'-eb, zeb.

See OREB.

2062. Zeeb -- "wolf," a leader in Midian
... 2061, 2062. Zeeb. 2063 . "wolf," a leader in Midian. Transliteration:
Zeeb Phonetic Spelling: (zeh-abe') Short Definition: Zeeb. ...
/hebrew/2062.htm - 6k

2061. zeeb -- a wolf
... 2060, 2061. zeeb. 2062 . a wolf. Transliteration: zeeb Phonetic Spelling:
(zeh-abe') Short Definition: wolf. ... 2060, 2061. zeeb. 2062 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2061.htm - 5k

392. Akzib -- "deceptive," two places in Palestine
... 391, 392. Akzib. 393 . "deceptive," two places in Palestine. Transliteration:
Akzib Phonetic Spelling: (ak-zeeb') Short Definition: Achzib. ...
/hebrew/392.htm - 6k

Psalm 83
... 10And Sis'ra, which at En-dor fell,. as dung to fat the land. ^11Like Oreb and like
Zeeb make. their noble men to fall; Like Zeba and Zalmunna like,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 83.htm

How the Midianites and Other Nations Fought against the Israelites ...
... a certain valley encompassed with torrents, a place which these could not get over;
so they encompassed them, and slew them all, with their kings, Oreb and Zeeb ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the midianites.htm

Judges
... According to the later version, Gideon is the deliverer of Israel from the incursions
of the Midianites, and the princes slain are Oreb and Zeeb, vii.24-viii.3 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... more of them were slain. Among the slain were two of the princes of the
Midianites, named Oreb and Zeeb. A part of the Midianite ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)
... The division of that host, which attempted to escape across the Jordan, under Oreb
and Zeeb, was overtaken by the Ephraimites, who, in a great battle ... OREB; ZEEB. ...
/z/zeeb.htm - 10k

Oreb (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Raven, a prince of Midian, who, being defeated by Gideon
and put to straits, was slain along with Zeeb (Judges 7:20-25). ... OREB; ZEEB. ...
/o/oreb.htm - 10k

Midianite (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 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 ...
/m/midianite.htm - 13k

Grape-crushing (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:25 And they took the two chiefs of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they put
Oreb to death at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they put to death at the place of ...
/g/grape-crushing.htm - 7k

Wine-press (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 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 wine-press of Zeeb...
/w/wine-press.htm - 11k

Winepress (19 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:25 They took the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they killed
Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb, and ...
/w/winepress.htm - 14k

Wine-vat (7 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:25 and they capture two of the heads of Midian, Oreb, and Zeeb, and slay
Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they have slain at the wine-vat of Zeeb...
/w/wine-vat.htm - 8k

Mid'ian (47 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:25 And they took the two princes of Mid'ian, Oreb and Zeeb; they killed
Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the wine press of Zeeb, as ...
/m/mid'ian.htm - 20k

Capture (53 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:25 and they capture two of the heads of Midian, Oreb, and Zeeb, and slay
Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they have slain at the wine-vat of Zeeb...
/c/capture.htm - 23k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews zeeb, frequently referred to in Scripture
as an emblem of treachery and cruelty. Jacob's prophecy ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

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