Lexical Summary Tsalmunna: Zalmunna Original Word: צַלְמֻנָּע 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 Originfrom 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 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. Related Themes and Cross-References • Other Midianite leaders: Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:25) 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‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Judges 8:7 Judges 8:10 Judges 8:12 Judges 8:12 Judges 8:15 Judges 8:15 Judges 8:18 Judges 8:21 Judges 8:21 Psalm 83:11 12 Occurrences |
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, decline, deviate, 
curved; Late Hebrew צֵלָע = Biblical Hebrew, so Arabic 
Assyrian ƒêlu, Biblical Aramaic עֲלַע, עילְעָא, Syriac 
).