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Zebah

Zebah was a Midianite king who, along with Zalmunna, was defeated and killed by Gideon during the time of the judges.

The name Zebah means “victim; sacrifice”

MaleSinaiOld Testament2 books11 verses

Summary

A king of Midia living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Judges 8:5; only referred to as Zebah (זֶ֫בַח).

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 2 verses that refer to Zebah without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. 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.”
  2. 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?”
  3. 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!”
  4. 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.
  5. Judges 8:12
    When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army.
  6. Judges 8:15
    And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”
  7. Judges 8:18
    Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” “Men like you,” they answered, “each one resembling the son of a king.”
  8. Judges 8:19Referred to, not named
    “They were my brothers,” Gideon replied, “the sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”
  9. Judges 8:20Referred to, not named
    So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth.
  10. Judges 8:21
    Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us yourself, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments from the necks of their camels.
  11. Psalm 83:11
    Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,