Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

PSALMS 83:11KJV
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Psalms 83:11 (KJV)

What does Psalms 83:11 mean?

Psalms 83:11 is a prayer asking God to defeat the enemies of Israel by making their leaders fall, just as He did with Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna—figures from earlier Israelite history who were destroyed. The verse calls for the downfall of these hostile leaders to protect Israel.

The psalmist, speaking on behalf of the people, is addressing God during a time of threat from surrounding nations. By mentioning Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna, the psalmist recalls past victories where God intervened against Israel’s enemies. The request is for God to act in the present as He did in the past, bringing about a decisive end to those who threaten Israel.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 83:11

  • "Make" (שִׁית, shith): This word means "to set," "to place," or "to make," and here it carries the sense of causing someone to become like someone else—in this case, to meet the same fate as the defeated leaders from history.
  • "Nobles" (נְדִיב, n'div): This word refers to leaders or nobles, emphasizing the high status of those being targeted in the prayer.
  • "Princes" (נָסִיךְ, nasikh): This word also refers to leaders or rulers, underscoring that the request is specifically about those in positions of power.
  • The names "Oreb" (עֹרֵב, Orev), "Zeeb" (זְאֵב, Ze'ev), "Zebah" (זֶבַח, Zevach), and "Zalmunna" (צַלְמֻנָּע, Tzalmunna) are references to Midianite leaders defeated by Gideon in Judges 7–8, serving as historical examples of God’s deliverance.

Why Psalms 83:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the psalmist is not asking for general destruction but specifically for the defeat of enemy leaders, drawing on well-known stories from Israel’s past.
  • The mention of these specific names ties the present crisis to God’s proven faithfulness, encouraging hope based on remembered victories.
  • Understanding the historical references helps the reader see that the psalm is rooted in real events, not just poetic language, and connects the prayer to a tradition of God’s intervention in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Zeeb” Hebrew H2062 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
  • Judges 8:3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.

“Oreb” Hebrew H6159 · used in 4 verses

  • Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
  • Judges 8:3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
  • Isaiah 10:26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

“princes” Hebrew H5257 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
  • Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
  • Daniel 11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

“Zebah” Hebrew H2078 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Judges 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
  • Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?