Midianite

Overview

• A desert people descended from Midian, a son of Abraham by Keturah — at times a refuge for Israel, at times her enemy.

Summary

The Midianites trace their descent to Midian, a son of Abraham by his wife Keturah (Genesis 25.1-2), which makes them distant kin of Israel. Their land east of the wilderness became Moses's refuge when he fled Egypt: there he married Zipporah, daughter of Jethro (Reuel), the "priest of Midian," whose wise counsel later helped Moses govern the people (Exodus 2.15-21; Exodus 18).[^1] Yet the relationship turned. At Baal-Peor, Midianite women drew Israel into idolatry and immorality, bringing the plague that Phinehas halted by his zeal (Numbers 25), after which Israel waged war on Midian (Numbers 31). Generations later, in the time of the Judges, Midian oppressed Israel until Gideon and his three hundred routed them (Judges 6–Judges 8).[^2] It was also a caravan of Midianite (Ishmaelite) traders who carried Joseph down into Egypt (Genesis 37.28).

Sources

[^1]: Midianite descent from Abraham (Genesis 25.1-2); Moses in Midian with Jethro (Exodus 2.15-21; Exodus 18). [^2]: Midian at Baal-Peor and the war that followed (Numbers 25; Numbers 31); Midian's oppression and Gideon's victory (Judges 6–Judges 8).