Judges 7:25

The verse tells us, *“And they captured the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb, while they pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan”* (v.25). This passage describes how the men of Israel, under Gideon’s leadership, achieved a crucial victory in the campaign against the Midianites. Oreb and Zeeb were military commanders serving the Midianites, who had previously oppressed the Israelites. Their capture and execution illustrate the fulfillment of the LORD’s promise to deliver Israel from the hand of her enemies (Judges 7:9, NASB-95) and also show Gideon’s obedience in pursuing the Midianites to the very end.

When *“they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb”* (v.25), the text suggests that these geographical locations became known by the names of the defeated rulers. The rock and the wine press serve as enduring reminders to the followers of Gideon—and later generations—of God’s intervention. Gideon was active as a judge in Israel around the late 12th to early 11th century BC. He served during a period when Israel had no centralized government, but rather followed leaders raised up by God during times of crisis. By naming these sites after the Midianite leaders, the Israelites commemorated their victory and acknowledged God’s deliverance from enemies who harassed the nation.

Finally, *“they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan”* (v.25). The Jordan River runs through the land of Israel, near the region where these events likely took place. Bringing the heads of these defeated leaders to Gideon signified the completion of the battle’s objective: the utter defeat of Midianite oppression. This foreshadows later salvation stories in the Scriptures, pointing toward how God delivers His people from seemingly overwhelming circumstances—a pattern ultimately fulfilled in the salvation provided through Jesus Christ (John 3:16, NASB-95).

They captured and destroyed the Midianite commanders, demonstrating God’s power and Gideon’s faithfulness.