Who was Oreb in the Bible?

Oreb was a Midianite prince or leader who oppressed Israel. He was killed by the men of Ephraim during Gideon's campaign to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression (Judges 7:25).

What is the significance of Oreb's death in the Bible?

Oreb's death was a major victory for Israel, symbolizing God's deliverance. The location where he was killed, the rock of Oreb, became a landmark commemorating the defeat of a key enemy leader (Isaiah 10:26).

How did Oreb die according to the Bible?

After Gideon's initial victory, the Ephraimites captured and killed Oreb at a rock that bore his name. They brought his head to Gideon, who was across the Jordan River (Judges 7:24-25).

Oreb

Old TestamentMale

Oreb was a Midianite prince who was killed by the Ephraimites during the time of Gideon.

Oreb

Biography

Oreb was one of two prominent Midianite princes, the other being Zeeb, who were captured and executed by the Ephraimites during Gideon's decisive campaign against the Midianite oppressors of Israel (Judges 7:25). After Gideon's famous 300-man rout of the Midianite camp, the fleeing enemy forces were intercepted by Ephraimite warriors who had been summoned to seize the fords of the Jordan. Oreb was slain at a notable rock that thereafter bore his name, 'the rock of Oreb,' while Zeeb was killed at a winepress that similarly took his name. The heads of both princes were brought to Gideon as trophies of victory. This decisive elimination of Midianite leadership effectively ended the oppression that had devastated Israel for seven years, marking a turning point in the period of the judges.

Significance

The defeat and death of Oreb became an enduring symbol in Israelite memory of God's dramatic deliverance of His people against overwhelming odds. The prophet Isaiah invoked this event centuries later as a paradigm for future divine judgment, speaking of 'the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb' (Isaiah 10:26). The psalmist likewise recalled the fate of Oreb and Zeeb as examples of how God deals with the enemies of His people (Psalm 83:11). Oreb's story reinforces the biblical theme that no earthly power, however formidable, can withstand God's purposes for Israel. His defeat through Gideon's vastly outnumbered forces demonstrates that divine victory depends on God's power rather than human military strength.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (4)

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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