Lexical Summary Zeeb: Zeeb Original Word: זְאֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zeeb The same as z'eb; Zeeb, a Midianitish prince -- Zeeb. see HEBREW z'eb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as zeeb Definition "wolf," a leader in Midian NASB Translation Zeeb (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. זְאֵב proper name, masculine (wolf) — a prince of Midian, Judges 7:25 (3 t. in verse); Judges 8:3; Psalm 83:12; also in proper name, of a location יֶקֶבזְֿאֵב Judges 7:25 wine-vat of Zeeb. Topical Lexicon Historical Background Zeeb was one of the two Midianite princes who led repeated forays into Israel during the period of the Judges. Along with his counterpart Oreb, he represented the oppressive strength of Midian that had reduced Israel to hiding in caves and threshing grain in secret (Judges 6). The defeat of these princes became a turning point in Israel’s history, demonstrating the Lord’s power to deliver through unlikely means. Biblical Narrative and Context Judges 7 records Gideon’s surprise attack on the Midianite camp. As the enemy fled in confusion, “They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb” (Judges 7:25). The specific sites where each prince was slain were thereafter named for them, cementing the victory in Israel’s collective memory. When the men of Ephraim confronted Gideon over the glory of battle, he replied, “Into your hands God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb. What was I able to do compared with you?” (Judges 8:3). The episode underscored God’s initiative and the unity required among the tribes. Centuries later, Psalm 83:11 invokes Zeeb as a paradigm of divine judgment on hostile nations: “Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna”. The psalmist appeals to the past to bolster faith for present deliverance. Name Significance Zeeb means “wolf,” an apt description of predatory aggression. The name reminds readers that the Lord can subdue even the most ravenous foes. It also provides an ironic contrast: the “wolf” met his end at a place of crushing (a winepress), symbolizing how God turns the instruments of oppression back on the oppressor. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty: The victory over Zeeb came through a drastically reduced Israelite force, highlighting salvation “not by might nor by power” but by God’s Spirit. Prophetic and Typological Considerations The destruction of Zeeb and Oreb prefigures the ultimate defeat of every adversary that exalts itself against God’s people. Like Gideon’s three-hundred, the church conquers “by the word of their testimony” and the power of God, not by numerical superiority. Psalm 83’s prayer that present enemies would meet the fate of Zeeb anticipates eschatological judgment when Christ will subdue all hostile powers. Lessons for Ministry • Trust God’s strategy even when it defies conventional wisdom. Connections in the Canon The motif of the “wolf” recurs as an image of predation (Genesis 49:27; Matthew 7:15). Zeeb embodies that threat historically, while his downfall anticipates the promised messianic era when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6), signaling creation’s restoration under Christ’s reign. Summary Zeeb’s brief but vivid appearance in Scripture showcases God’s power to humble the proud and rescue His people. Remembered in both historical narrative and liturgical prayer, Zeeb stands as a perpetual reminder that every “wolf” arrayed against the covenant community will ultimately be overcome by the Lord’s decisive deliverance. Forms and Transliterations וְכִזְאֵ֑ב וּזְאֵ֔ב וזאב וכזאב זְאֵ֔ב זְאֵ֗ב זְאֵב֙ זאב ū·zə·’êḇ ūzə’êḇ uzeEv vechizEv wə·ḵiz·’êḇ wəḵiz’êḇ zə’êḇ zə·’êḇ zeEvLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 7:25 HEB: עֹרֵ֣ב וְאֶת־ זְאֵ֗ב וַיַּהַרְג֨וּ אֶת־ NAS: Oreb and Zeeb, and they killed KJV: Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew INT: of Midian Oreb and Zeeb killed Oreb Judges 7:25 Judges 7:25 Judges 7:25 Judges 8:3 Psalm 83:11 6 Occurrences |
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