6759. Tsalmunna
Lexical Summary
Tsalmunna: Zalmunna

Original Word: צַלְמֻנָּע
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Tsalmunna`
Pronunciation: tsal-moon-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (tsal-moon-naw')
KJV: Zalmunna
NASB: Zalmunna
Word Origin: [from H6738 (צֵּל - shadow) and H4513 (מָנַע - withheld)]

1. shade has been denied
2. Tsalmunna, a Midianite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zalmunna

From tsel and mana'; shade has been denied; Tsalmunna, a Midianite -- Zalmunna.

see HEBREW tsel

see HEBREW mana'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as tselem
Definition
a king of Midian
NASB Translation
Zalmunna (12).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
צַלְמֻנָּע12 proper name, masculine a king of Midian, + זֶבַח, Judges 8:5 10t. Judges 8; Psalm 83:12, Σελμανα Σαλμ.

I. צלע (√ of following; compare Arabic , decline, deviate, curved; Late Hebrew צֵלָע = Biblical Hebrew, so Arabic Assyrian ƒêlu, Biblical Aramaic עֲלַע, עילְעָא, Syriac ).

Topical Lexicon
Identity and Occurrences

Zalmunna is one of the two Midianite kings captured and executed by Gideon after the rout of Midian. His name appears twelve times in Scripture, all within Judges 8 and a retrospective mention in Psalm 83:11. The Judges narrative records the pursuit, capture, interrogation, and death of Zalmunna; the Psalm places him among historic foes whose overthrow becomes a pattern for later prayer.

Historical Setting in Judges 6–8

The Midianite oppression (circa twelfth century BC) brought Israel to poverty and fear. At the Lord’s command, Gideon dismantled idolatry, mustered an army reduced to three hundred, and won a miraculous nighttime victory (Judges 7). The kings Zebah and Zalmunna escaped that initial engagement, leading Gideon to pursue them east of the Jordan.

Key Scenes Involving Zalmunna

1. Refusal of Succoth and Penuel (Judges 8:5–9)

Gideon asked for bread “for they are exhausted, yet I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian” (Judges 8:5). The towns’ refusal exposed unbelief in the Lord’s promised deliverance and provided a test of covenant loyalty inside Israel.

2. Capture at Karkor (Judges 8:10–12)

Though only fifteen thousand Midianite men remained, Gideon’s surprise attack shattered them; “and he captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed the whole army” (Judges 8:12). Their downfall confirmed that the Lord’s victory was complete, fulfilling the earlier sign of the fleece (Judges 6:36–40).

3. Interrogation and Execution (Judges 8:18–21)

Gideon pressed the kings about men slain at Tabor: “They were like you,” the kings replied, “each one resembling a prince” (Judges 8:18). Recognizing they had murdered his brothers, Gideon pronounced judgment. After his eldest son hesitated, Gideon himself “rose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna” (Judges 8:21), seizing crescents from their camels—trophies later fashioned into an ephod whose misuse foreshadowed Israel’s relapse into idolatry (Judges 8:24–27).

Psalm 83: A Later Echo

Asaph prays, “Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna” (Psalm 83:11). The psalmist recalls their defeat to petition the same judgment upon contemporary enemies. Zalmunna’s name therefore becomes emblematic of anti-covenant powers that God overcame once and can overcome again.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations

Zalmunna’s fall demonstrates God’s rule over pagan kings. Military strength, mobile camels, and numerical superiority could not shield Midian from covenant justice. Pastors can emphasize that no political or cultural power stands beyond God’s reach.

2. Justice and Mercy in Balance

Gideon pursued retributive justice for murdered relatives, yet only after God’s broader salvation of Israel. The episode guards against sentimental views of divine love divorced from holiness and warns against personal vengeance without divine mandate.

3. Faith-Testing within the Covenant Community

Succoth and Penuel’s reaction illustrates how fear of Zalmunna outweighed faith in God. Churches must discern whether present anxieties cause them to side with worldly powers rather than trust God’s promises.

4. Leadership Accountability

Gideon initially entrusts judgment to his firstborn; when the youth recoils, Gideon completes the task. Spiritual leaders cannot delegate obedience when God clearly assigns responsibility.

5. Memorializing God’s Works

Psalm 83 employs Zalmunna’s defeat as a precedent. Remembering past deliverances fuels present intercession and strengthens confidence in God’s unchanging character.

Practical Lessons for Believers

• Victory belongs to the Lord; numerical or tactical odds are secondary.
• Earthly powers fall when they oppose God’s covenant purposes.
• Fear of man, displayed by Succoth and Penuel, forfeits blessing.
• True worship memorializes God’s deeds without turning symbols (like Gideon’s ephod) into snares.
• History is a reservoir of testimony; recounting Zalmunna’s end equips saints to pray boldly against current threats.

Related Themes and Cross-References

• Other Midianite leaders: Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:25)
• Divine reduction of Gideon’s army: Judges 7:2–7
• Vengeance as covenantal, not personal: Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19
• Remembering past acts in prayer: 2 Chronicles 20:7–12; Nehemiah 9

Summary

Zalmunna stands as a historical figure whose downfall under Gideon manifests the triumph of divine purpose, the accountability of nations, and the call for God’s people to trust and obey. His memory, preserved in Scripture, continues to instruct the church in faith, courage, and reverent prayer.

Forms and Transliterations
וְצַלְמֻנָּ֑ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֔ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֖ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֗ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֛ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֜ע וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע וּ֝כְצַלְמֻנָּ֗ע וכצלמנע וצלמנע צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע צלמנע ṣal·mun·nā‘ ṣalmunnā‘ tzalmunNa ū·ḵə·ṣal·mun·nā‘ uchetzalmunNa ūḵəṣalmunnā‘ vetzalmunNa wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘ wəṣalmunnā‘
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 8:5
HEB: אַחֲרֵ֛י זֶ֥בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֖ע מַלְכֵ֥י מִדְיָֽן׃
NAS: Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings
KJV: Zebah and Zalmunna, kings
INT: after Zebah and Zalmunna the kings of Midian

Judges 8:6
HEB: הֲ֠כַף זֶ֧בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֛ע עַתָּ֖ה בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ
NAS: of Zebah and Zalmunna already
KJV: of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand,
INT: are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already your hands

Judges 8:7
HEB: זֶ֥בַח וְאֶת־ צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע בְּיָדִ֑י וְדַשְׁתִּי֙
NAS: Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand,
KJV: Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand,
INT: the LORD Zebah and Zalmunna my hand will thrash

Judges 8:10
HEB: וְזֶ֨בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֜ע בַּקַּרְקֹ֗ר וּמַחֲנֵיהֶ֤ם
NAS: Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor,
KJV: Now Zebah and Zalmunna [were] in Karkor,
INT: now Zebah and Zalmunna Karkor and their hosts

Judges 8:12
HEB: וַיָּנ֗וּסוּ זֶ֚בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֔ע וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם
NAS: When Zebah and Zalmunna fled,
KJV: And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled,
INT: fled Zebah and Zalmunna pursued after

Judges 8:12
HEB: זֶ֙בַח֙ וְאֶת־ צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע וְכָל־ הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה
NAS: Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed
KJV: Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited
INT: of Midian Zebah and Zalmunna the whole army

Judges 8:15
HEB: הִנֵּ֖ה זֶ֣בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֑ע אֲשֶׁר֩ חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם
NAS: Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom
KJV: Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid
INT: Behold Zebah and Zalmunna whom taunted

Judges 8:15
HEB: הֲ֠כַף זֶ֣בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע עַתָּה֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
NAS: of Zebah and Zalmunna already
KJV: of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand,
INT: are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already your hand

Judges 8:18
HEB: זֶ֙בַח֙ וְאֶל־ צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע אֵיפֹה֙ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
NAS: to Zebah and Zalmunna, What kind
KJV: he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What
INT: Zebah and Zalmunna What of men

Judges 8:21
HEB: וַיֹּ֜אמֶר זֶ֣בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֗ע ק֤וּם אַתָּה֙
NAS: Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise
KJV: Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise
INT: said Zebah and Zalmunna Rise yourself

Judges 8:21
HEB: זֶ֣בַח וְאֶת־ צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־
NAS: Zebah and Zalmunna, and took
KJV: Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away
INT: and killed Zebah and Zalmunna and took the crescent

Psalm 83:11
HEB: וְכִזְאֵ֑ב וּֽכְזֶ֥בַח וּ֝כְצַלְמֻנָּ֗ע כָּל־ נְסִיכֵֽמוֹ׃
NAS: their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
KJV: as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
INT: and Zeeb Zebah and Zalmunna and all their princes

12 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6759
12 Occurrences


ṣal·mun·nā‘ — 4 Occ.
ū·ḵə·ṣal·mun·nā‘ — 1 Occ.
wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘ — 7 Occ.

6758
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