Judges 7:24-25

Gideon Appeases the Ephraimites

7:24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, “Go down and head off the Midianites. ¹  Take control of the fords of the streams ²  all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River.” ³  When all the Ephraimites had assembled, ⁴  they took control of the fords ⁵  all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 7:25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb. ⁶  They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb ⁷  in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites ⁸  and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River. ⁹ 

[7:24]  ¹ tn Heb “to meet Midian.”

[7:24]  ² tn Heb “capture before them the waters.”

[7:24]  ³ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarification (also later in this verse).

[7:24]  ⁴ tn Heb “And all the men of Ephraim were summoned.”

[7:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “they captured the waters.”

[7:25]  ⁶ 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.

[7:25]  ⁷ tn The Hebrew text repeats the verb “executed.” This has not been repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[7:25]  ⁸ tn Heb “Midian.”

[7:25]  ⁹ 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).