Zebah זֶ֫בַח
Midianite king defeated by Gideon
Who is Zebah in the Bible?
Zebah was a Midianite king who, along with his counterpart Zalmunna, led a vast army that oppressed Israel for seven years during the period of the judges. When God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel, Zebah and Zalmunna were defeated in battle and fled with their remaining forces, but Gideon pursued them across the Jordan River and captured them at Karkor (Judges 8:5-12). Upon interrogation, the kings admitted to killing Gideon's brothers, and Gideon executed them in retaliation (Judges 8:18-21). The defeat of Zebah and Zalmunna marks a pivotal moment in Israel's deliverance from Midianite oppression and demonstrates God's faithfulness in raising up judges to rescue his people, with the kings' deaths commemorated even in later psalms as a reminder of divine judgment against Israel's enemies (Psalm 83:11).
Biography
Zebah was one of the two Midianite kings who led a vast army that invaded and oppressed Israel during the time of the judges. For seven years, the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would come up against Israel, destroying crops and livestock, forcing many Israelites to seek shelter in caves. God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. After a decisive victory, Zebah and Zalmunna fled with a remnant of their army, but Gideon pursued them across the Jordan River and overtook them at Karkor. The kings were captured and brought back to Israel, where they confessed to killing Gideon's brothers. As a result, Gideon executed them. The name Zebah is related to the Hebrew word for "sacrifice," while Zalmunna may contain a reference to a heathen deity. Their defeat is remembered as a demonstration of God's judgment and glory.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentJudges 5 verses
- Judges 8:5
"So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”"
- Judges 8:6
"But the leaders of Succoth asked, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?”"
- Judges 8:7
"“Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”"
- Judges 8:10
"Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen."
- Judges 8:12
"When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army."
Psalms 1 verse
- Psalms 83:11
"Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,"
Study Psalms →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | זֶ֫בַח | Zebach , a Midianitish prince |