Judges 7:23--8:1
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Context7:23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh answered the call and chased the Midianites. 1
7:24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, “Go down and head off the Midianites. 2 Take control of the fords of the streams 3 all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River.” 4 When all the Ephraimites had assembled, 5 they took control of the fords 6 all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 7:25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb. 7 They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb 8 in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites 9 and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River. 10
8:1 The Ephraimites said to him, “Why have you done such a thing to us? You did not summon us 11 when you went to fight the Midianites!” They argued vehemently with him.
1 tn Heb “Midian.”
2 tn Heb “to meet Midian.”
3 tn Heb “capture before them the waters.”
4 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarification (also later in this verse).
5 tn Heb “And all the men of Ephraim were summoned.”
6 tn Heb “they captured the waters.”
7 sn The names Oreb and Zeeb, which mean “Raven” and “Wolf” respectively, are appropriate because the Midianites had been like scavengers and predators to Israel.
8 tn The Hebrew text repeats the verb “executed.” This has not been repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.
9 tn Heb “Midian.”
10 tn Heb “beyond the Jordan.” The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text but has been supplied in the translation for clarity (also in 8:4).
11 tn Heb “by not summoning us.”