Why Scripture Demoted Zur, the Greatest King of Midian

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Pinchas 3:6

"And the name of the slain Midianite woman, etc." (Numbers 25:15). This is to inform you how far the Midianites had given themselves over: that they abandoned a daughter of kings to disgrace. "And the kings of Midian they killed [... and Zur]" (Numbers 31:8). Zur was the greatest of them all, but because he abandoned his daughter and exposed her publicly, Scripture diminished him and counted him third. But he was the greatest king of them all, as it is said: "head of the nations of a father's house in Midian he was" (Numbers 25:15).

Themes

Biblical References