Judges 7:24-8:3
New English Translation
Gideon Appeases the Ephraimites
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, “Go down and head off the Midianites.[a] Take control of the fords of the streams[b] all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River.”[c] When all the Ephraimites had assembled,[d] they took control of the fords[e] all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb.[f] They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb[g] in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites[h] and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River.[i]
8 The Ephraimites said to him, “Why have you done such a thing to us? You did not summon us[j] when you went to fight the Midianites!” They argued vehemently with him. 2 He said to them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Even Ephraim’s leftover grapes[k] are better quality than Abiezer’s harvest![l] 3 It was to you that God handed over the Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb! What did I accomplish to rival that?”[m] When he said this, they calmed down.[n]
Footnotes
- Judges 7:24 tn Heb “to meet Midian.”
- Judges 7:24 tn Heb “capture before them the waters.”
- Judges 7:24 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarification (also later in this verse).
- Judges 7:24 tn Heb “And all the men of Ephraim were summoned.”
- Judges 7:24 tn Heb “they captured the waters.”
- Judges 7:25 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.
- Judges 7:25 tn The Hebrew text repeats the verb “executed.” This has not been repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.
- Judges 7:25 tn Heb “Midian.”
- Judges 7:25 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).
- Judges 8:1 tn Heb “by not summoning us.”
- Judges 8:2 tn Heb “gleanings.”
- Judges 8:2 sn Ephraim’s leftover grapes are better quality than Abiezer’s harvest. Gideon employs an agricultural metaphor. He argues that Ephraim’s mopping up operations, though seemingly like the inferior grapes which are missed initially by the harvesters or left for the poor, are actually more noteworthy than the military efforts of Gideon’s family.
- Judges 8:3 tn Heb “What was I able to do compared to you?”
- Judges 8:3 tn Heb “Then their spirits relaxed from against him, when he spoke this word.”
Judges 7:24-8:3
New Living Translation
24 Gideon also sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down to attack the Midianites. Cut them off at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River at Beth-barah.”
So all the men of Ephraim did as they were told. 25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. And they continued to chase the Midianites. Afterward the Israelites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan River.
Gideon Kills Zebah and Zalmunna
8 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.
2 But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer? 3 God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided.
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