Who was Zalmunna in the Bible?

Zalmunna was a king of Midian who, along with King Zebah, led a coalition that oppressed Israel for seven years. He was defeated and ultimately killed by the Israelite judge Gideon, as recorded in the Book of Judges (Judges 8:4-21).

Why did Gideon kill Zalmunna?

Gideon killed Zalmunna and his co-king Zebah as an act of retribution for their violence. Gideon stated they had killed his brothers at Mount Tabor, making their execution a matter of blood vengeance and justice under the customs of the time (Judges 8:18-19).

What is the significance of Zalmunna's defeat?

Zalmunna's defeat symbolizes God delivering Israel from Midianite oppression through Gideon. It marked the end of a major threat and demonstrated that victory comes from God's power, not human strength, as Gideon's small force triumphed (Judges 7:2, 8:10-12).

Zalmunna

Old TestamentMaleKing

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

Zalmunna

Biography

Zalmunna was a king of Midian who, together with his fellow king Zebah, led a massive coalition that oppressed Israel during the period of the judges. After Gideon's initial victory over the Midianite army, Zebah and Zalmunna fled eastward with approximately fifteen thousand surviving troops (Judges 8:10). Gideon pursued them beyond the Jordan, captured them at Karkor, and brought them back to Canaan. When questioned, they acknowledged having killed Gideon's brothers at Tabor (Judges 8:18-19). Gideon then executed them, though he first asked his firstborn son Jether to do so, the young man hesitated, and Gideon himself killed the two kings. Their deaths completed Israel's deliverance from the Midianite subjugation.

Significance

Zalmunna's defeat at Gideon's hands became a paradigmatic image of divine deliverance in later Israelite memory. Psalm 83:11 invokes his name alongside other defeated enemies as a prayer for God to shatter Israel's foes as decisively as in Gideon's day. His death illustrates a recurring biblical pattern: those who oppress God's people and shed innocent blood will ultimately face divine justice. Zalmunna also serves as a foil highlighting Gideon's faith, despite overwhelming odds, the judge trusted God's promise of victory. The narrative warns that earthly power and military might cannot prevail against the purposes of the God of Israel.

Verse Appearances (9)

Judg

Judg 8:5 Judg 8:6 Judg 8:7 Judg 8:10 Judg 8:12 Judg 8:15 Judg 8:18 Judg 8:21

Ps

Ps 83:11

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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