Text -- Judges 7:23-25 (NET)

7:23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh answered the call and chased the Midianites.

Gideon Appeases the Ephraimites

7:24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, “Go down and head off the Midianites. Take control of the fords of the streams all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River.” When all the Ephraimites had assembled, they took control of the fords all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 7:25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb. They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jdg 7:23

¹ tn Heb “Midian.”

NET Notes: Jdg 7:24

¹ tn Heb “to meet Midian.”

² tn Heb “capture before them the waters.”

³ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarification (also later in this verse).

⁴ tn Heb “And all the men of Ephraim were summoned.”

⁵ tn Heb “they captured the waters.”

NET Notes: Jdg 7:25

¹ 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.

² tn The Hebrew text repeats the verb “executed.” This has not been repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.

³ tn Heb “Midian.”

⁴ 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).