{
  "id": "dict_006146",
  "term": "Zeeb",
  "slug": "zeeb",
  "letter": "Z",
  "entry_type": "biblical_person",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Zeeb was a Midianite prince defeated during Gideon’s campaign. He was captured and killed by the men of Ephraim.",
  "simple_one_line": "A Midianite prince killed in Gideon’s victory over Midian.",
  "tooltip_text": "Midianite prince slain in the defeat of Midian during Gideon’s deliverance of Israel.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Gideon",
    "Oreb",
    "Midian",
    "Judges"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Oreb",
    "Midianites",
    "Gideon",
    "Judges 7",
    "Judges 8"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Zeeb was one of the Midianite leaders opposed to Israel in the days of Gideon. Scripture records that he was captured and killed by the men of Ephraim during the pursuit of Midian’s retreating forces.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Midianite prince slain in the aftermath of Gideon’s victory.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "1) A leader among Midian’s oppressors of Israel",
    "2) Captured and killed by Ephraimites",
    "3) His death is part of the account of God’s deliverance through Gideon."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Zeeb was a Midianite prince in the Judges period. During Gideon’s victory over Midian, the men of Ephraim captured and killed Zeeb, together with Oreb, marking a decisive stage in Israel’s deliverance (Judg. 7:25; 8:3).",
  "description_academic_full": "Zeeb is a historical figure in the book of Judges, identified as one of the princes of Midian. In the narrative of Gideon’s deliverance, the Lord gave Israel victory over Midian, and the men of Ephraim pursued the fleeing enemy and killed Zeeb after capturing him at the winepress associated with his name (Judg. 7:25; 8:3). Psalm 83 later alludes to Zeeb and Oreb as examples of defeated enemies of God’s people (Ps. 83:11). Zeeb is therefore best treated as a biblical person, not as a theological term or concept.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Zeeb appears in the Judges account of Gideon’s victory over Midian. His death is part of the larger narrative showing the Lord’s power to deliver Israel from oppression despite Israel’s weakness and fear.",
  "background_historical_context": "The judges period was marked by recurring cycles of Israel’s unfaithfulness, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Midianite raids severely damaged Israel’s security and agriculture, making Gideon’s victory a notable national deliverance.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Later biblical reflection remembered defeated enemies such as Zeeb as examples of God’s historic intervention on behalf of Israel. The name itself is commonly understood to mean ‘wolf.’",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Judges 7:25",
    "Judges 8:3"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Psalm 83:11"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew name likely means ‘wolf.’",
  "theological_significance": "Zeeb’s death belongs to the narrative of the Lord’s deliverance of Israel through Gideon. The emphasis is not on Zeeb himself, but on God’s sovereign help for his people.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This entry names a real historical person in a biblical narrative. It should be read descriptively rather than as a doctrinal category.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not confuse Zeeb with a theological concept. His significance is narrative and historical, not doctrinal in itself.",
  "major_views_note": "There is no major interpretive dispute about Zeeb’s basic identity; the main issue is only classification. He is a Midianite prince defeated in Judges.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Scripture presents Zeeb as an enemy leader in Israel’s history. No doctrine should be built from his name apart from the larger biblical theme of God’s deliverance.",
  "practical_significance": "Zeeb’s account reminds readers that God can overthrow powerful oppressors and bring deliverance through means that highlight his own glory rather than human strength.",
  "meta_description": "Zeeb was a Midianite prince defeated and killed during Gideon’s deliverance of Israel in Judges.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/zeeb/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/zeeb.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}