4080. Midyan
Lexical Summary
Midyan: Midian, Midianites

Original Word: מִדְיָן
Part of Speech: proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Midyan
Pronunciation: MID-yahn
Phonetic Spelling: (mid-yawn')
KJV: Midian, Midianite
NASB: Midian, Midianites
Word Origin: [the same as H4079 (מִדיָן - Midian)]

1. Midjan, a son of Abraham
2. also his country and (collectively) his descendants

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Midian, Midianite

The same as midyan; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants -- Midian, Midianite.

see HEBREW midyan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as madon
Definition
a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his desc. and the region where they settled
NASB Translation
Midian (54), Midianites (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מִדְיָן proper name, masculine 1. son of Abraham and Keturah Genesis 25:2,4 (J) 1 Chronicles 1:32,33.

2 an Arabian tribe Genesis 36:35 (= 1 Chronicles 1:46) Numbers 31:3 (twice in verse); Numbers 31:7,8 (twice in verse); Numbers 31:9 (P) Judges 6-9 (31 t.); having a כֹּהֵן (as chieftain?) Exodus 2:16; Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:1 (E); זקנים Numbers 22:4,7 (JE), נשׂיא(יםׅ Numbers 25:18 (P) Joshua 13:21 (P), שׂרים Judges 7:25; Judges 8:3, מלכים Numbers 31:8 (twice in verse); Judges 8:5,12,26; בִּכְרֵי מִדְיָן dromedaries of Midian Isaiah 60:6; יוֺם מִדְיָן day of Midian Isaiah 9:3 (the victory over Midian Judges 7-8) compare Judges 10:26; Psalm 83:10,

3 אֶרֶץ מִרְיָן the land of Midian Exodus 2:15 (E) Habakkuk 3:7; מִדְיָן Exodus 4:19 (J) Numbers 25:15 (P) 1 Kings 11:18; land on Aelanitic gulf (where Arabic geographers still place town ). compare on Midian, GlaserSkizze ii. 447 ff.; HomAufsätze i. (1892), 4f.

Topical Lexicon
Lineage and Identity

Midian is introduced as one of the six sons born to Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2; 1 Chronicles 1:32). His descendants grew into a confederation of tribes known interchangeably as “Midian” or “the Midianites,” a people of mixed pastoral and trading culture who inhabited the arid regions east and south-east of the Gulf of Aqaba and into the north-western Arabian Peninsula.

Geographical Sphere

Biblical references locate Midian in the Sinai wilderness (Exodus 3:1), the desert north of the Arabian Peninsula, and portions of southern Transjordan (Judges 6:33). Their mobility made them regular occupants of caravan routes that linked Egypt, Canaan, and Arabia, which explains their early appearance as “Midianite traders” (Genesis 37:28).

Early Encounters with the Patriarchs

Midianites first intersect Israel’s account when Joseph is sold: “Then when the Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites” (Genesis 37:28). The dual identification of the caravan as Ishmaelites and Midianites signals either intermarriage or a commercial coalition, demonstrating the fluid ethnic boundaries of the time.

Midian in the Life of Moses

After fleeing Egypt, Moses took refuge “in the land of Midian” (Exodus 2:15). He married Zipporah, daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel), “the priest of Midian” (Exodus 2:21; 3:1). Through Jethro, Midian provides Moses both familial support and early lessons in leadership: “What you are doing is not good … select capable men … and they shall bear the burden with you” (Exodus 18:17-22). These instructions anticipate the later appointment of elders in Israel, underscoring God’s providential use of Midian to shape Israel’s governance.

Alliance with Moab and the Balaam Crisis

During Israel’s wilderness journey, Midian shifted from host to adversary. Moab enlisted Midian’s elders to hire Balaam (Numbers 22:4-7). The plot culminated not merely in prophetic intrigue but in moral seduction: “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor” (Numbers 31:16). The tragedy of Peor (Numbers 25) illustrates the spiritual peril of syncretism; Israel’s covenant loyalty stands threatened more by subtle compromise than by open warfare.

The Vengeance Campaign of Numbers 31

At divine command, Moses dispatched twelve thousand troops “to execute the LORD’s vengeance on Midian” (Numbers 31:3). The campaign was total: five Midianite kings were slain, Balaam was executed, and the Midianite males were killed. The severity of the judgment underscores God’s intolerance of idolatry and the responsibility of His covenant people to guard holiness.

Midianite Oppression in the Judges Era

A generation later Midian resurfaces as oppressor. “Midian prevailed over Israel” for seven years (Judges 6:1-6) until God raised Gideon. The dramatic rout—“The LORD set the sword of each man against his companion throughout the camp” (Judges 7:22)—became a benchmark of divine deliverance: “You have shattered the yoke of their burden … as in the day of Midian’s defeat” (Isaiah 9:4). Leaders Oreb and Zeeb were killed at Jordan’s fords (Judges 7:25); kings Zebah and Zalmunna fell in Gideon’s personal pursuit (Judges 8:21). Gideon’s victory terminated seven years of economic devastation and reaffirmed the principle that salvation belongs to the LORD, not to human strength (Judges 7:2).

Later Historical and Prophetic References

Psalm 83:9 recalls Midian as an example of enemies routed by God’s might.
Isaiah 10:26 promises judgment on Assyria “as He did when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb,” making Gideon’s triumph a paradigm of future deliverance.
Isaiah 60:6 envisions “young camels of Midian and Ephah” bringing wealth to Zion, indicating that cleansed descendants may yet participate in messianic blessing.
Habakkuk 3:7 pictures the trembling tents of Midian as theophanic imagery of God marching in judgment.

Religious Character and Practices

Midianite religion blended ancestral Abrahamic knowledge (seen in Jethro’s priesthood and confession, Exodus 18:11-12) with Canaanite fertility rites (exposed at Peor). Their syncretistic worship proved a snare to Israel, illustrating that partial knowledge of the true God does not shield a people from idolatry when divine revelation is rejected.

Spiritual Themes and Ministry Applications

1. Covenant Separation: Israel’s repeated entanglements with Midian reinforce the call to “come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
2. Divine Sovereignty in Deliverance: Whether by a lone fugitive (Moses) or an outnumbered band (Gideon), victory is secured “not by might nor by power” but by the LORD.
3. Vigilance against Moral Compromise: The Peor incident warns that moral laxity precedes spiritual defeat; holiness cannot be negotiated.
4. Hope for Future Inclusion: Isaiah 60’s vision of Midianite caravans bringing tribute to Zion anticipates the ingathering of the nations through the gospel.

Occurrences

Midian and its derivatives appear roughly fifty-nine times across ten canonical books (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Judges, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Psalm, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Acts), spanning patriarchal narrative, Mosaic legislation, historical recital, poetry, prophecy, and apostolic preaching (Acts 7:29). The breadth of usage highlights Midian’s enduring theological significance as both a vessel of God’s providence and a foil to His people’s faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּמִדְיָ֑ן בְּמִדְיָ֔ן בְּמִדְיָ֖ן בְּמִדְיָֽן׃ במדין במדין׃ וּמִדְיָ֖ן וּמִדְיָ֨ן ומדין כְּמִדְיָ֑ן כמדין מִדְיָ֑ן מִדְיָ֔ן מִדְיָ֖ן מִדְיָ֗ן מִדְיָ֜ן מִדְיָ֧ן מִדְיָֽן׃ מִדְיָן֙ מִמִּדְיָ֔ן מדין מדין׃ ממדין bə·miḏ·yān bemidYan bəmiḏyān kə·miḏ·yān kemidYan kəmiḏyān miḏ·yān midYan miḏyān mim·miḏ·yān mimidYan mimmiḏyān ū·miḏ·yān umidYan ūmiḏyān
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 25:2
HEB: מְדָ֖ן וְאֶת־ מִדְיָ֑ן וְאֶת־ יִשְׁבָּ֖ק
NAS: and Medan and Midian and Ishbak
KJV: and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak,
INT: and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah

Genesis 25:4
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עֵיפָ֤ה וָעֵ֙פֶר֙
NAS: The sons of Midian [were] Ephah
KJV: And the sons of Midian; Ephah,
INT: the sons of Midian Ephah and Epher

Genesis 36:35
HEB: הַמַּכֶּ֤ה אֶת־ מִדְיָן֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה מוֹאָ֔ב
NAS: who defeated Midian in the field
KJV: who smote Midian in the field
INT: of Bedad defeated Midian the field of Moab

Exodus 2:15
HEB: וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בְּאֶֽרֶץ־ מִדְיָ֖ן וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב עַֽל־
NAS: in the land of Midian, and he sat down
KJV: in the land of Midian: and he sat down
INT: and settled the land of Midian sat by

Exodus 2:16
HEB: וּלְכֹהֵ֥ן מִדְיָ֖ן שֶׁ֣בַע בָּנ֑וֹת
NAS: Now the priest of Midian had seven
KJV: Now the priest of Midian had seven
INT: now the priest of Midian had seven daughters

Exodus 3:1
HEB: חֹתְנ֖וֹ כֹּהֵ֣ן מִדְיָ֑ן וַיִּנְהַ֤ג אֶת־
NAS: the priest of Midian; and he led
KJV: the priest of Midian: and he led
INT: law the priest of Midian led the flock

Exodus 4:19
HEB: אֶל־ מֹשֶׁה֙ בְּמִדְיָ֔ן לֵ֖ךְ שֻׁ֣ב
NAS: said to Moses in Midian, Go back
KJV: said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return
INT: to Moses Midian Go back

Exodus 18:1
HEB: יִתְר֨וֹ כֹהֵ֤ן מִדְיָן֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה
NAS: the priest of Midian, Moses'
KJV: the priest of Midian, Moses'
INT: now Jethro the priest of Midian law Moses'

Numbers 22:4
HEB: אֶל־ זִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עַתָּ֞ה יְלַחֲכ֤וּ
NAS: to the elders of Midian, Now
KJV: unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company
INT: to the elders of Midian Now will lick

Numbers 22:7
HEB: מוֹאָב֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ֖ים בְּיָדָ֑ם
NAS: and the elders of Midian departed
KJV: and the elders of Midian departed
INT: of Moab and the elders of Midian divination their hand

Numbers 25:15
HEB: בֵּֽית־ אָ֛ב בְּמִדְיָ֖ן הֽוּא׃ פ
NAS: of a father's household in Midian.
KJV: [and] of a chief house in Midian.
INT: household of a father's Midian who

Numbers 25:18
HEB: בַת־ נְשִׂ֤יא מִדְיָן֙ אֲחֹתָ֔ם הַמֻּכָּ֥ה
NAS: of the leader of Midian, their sister
KJV: of a prince of Midian, their sister,
INT: the daughter of the leader of Midian their sister was slain

Numbers 31:3
HEB: וְיִהְיוּ֙ עַל־ מִדְיָ֔ן לָתֵ֥ת נִקְמַת־
NAS: against Midian to execute
KJV: of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge
INT: may go against Midian to execute vengeance

Numbers 31:3
HEB: נִקְמַת־ יְהוָ֖ה בְּמִדְיָֽן׃
NAS: the LORD'S vengeance on Midian.
KJV: and avenge the LORD of Midian.
INT: vengeance the LORD'S Midian

Numbers 31:7
HEB: וַֽיִּצְבְּאוּ֙ עַל־ מִדְיָ֔ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה
NAS: against Midian, just
KJV: And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD
INT: made against Midian after had commanded

Numbers 31:8
HEB: וְאֶת־ מַלְכֵ֨י מִדְיָ֜ן הָרְג֣וּ עַל־
NAS: the kings of Midian along
KJV: the kings of Midian, beside
INT: the kings of Midian killed along

Numbers 31:8
HEB: חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת מַלְכֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן וְאֵת֙ בִּלְעָ֣ם
NAS: kings of Midian; they also killed
KJV: kings of Midian: Balaam
INT: the five kings of Midian Balaam the son

Numbers 31:9
HEB: אֶת־ נְשֵׁ֥י מִדְיָ֖ן וְאֶת־ טַפָּ֑ם
NAS: the women of Midian and their little ones;
KJV: took [all] the women of Midian captives,
INT: of Israel the women of Midian and their little and all

Joshua 13:21
HEB: וְאֶת־ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן אֶת־ אֱוִ֤י
NAS: with the chiefs of Midian, Evi
KJV: with the princes of Midian, Evi,
INT: Moses the chiefs of Midian Evi and Rekem

Judges 6:1
HEB: יְהוָ֛ה בְּיַד־ מִדְיָ֖ן שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃
NAS: them into the hands of Midian seven
KJV: them into the hand of Midian seven
INT: and the LORD the hands of Midian seven years

Judges 6:2
HEB: וַתָּ֥עָז יַד־ מִדְיָ֖ן עַל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
NAS: The power of Midian prevailed against
KJV: And the hand of Midian prevailed
INT: prevailed the power of Midian against Israel

Judges 6:2
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מִפְּנֵ֨י מִדְיָ֜ן עָשֽׂוּ לָהֶ֣ם ׀
NAS: Because of Midian the sons
KJV: [and] because of the Midianites the children
INT: Israel because of Midian made the sons

Judges 6:3
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְעָלָ֨ה מִדְיָ֧ן וַֽעֲמָלֵ֛ק וּבְנֵי־
NAS: had sown, that the Midianites would come
KJV: had sown, that the Midianites came up,
INT: Israel come the Midianites the Amalekites and the sons

Judges 6:6
HEB: מְאֹ֖ד מִפְּנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן וַיִּזְעֲק֥וּ בְנֵֽי־
NAS: because of Midian, and the sons
KJV: because of the Midianites; and the children
INT: very because of Midian cried and the sons

Judges 6:7
HEB: עַ֖ל אֹד֥וֹת מִדְיָֽן׃
NAS: to the LORD on account of Midian,
KJV: because of the Midianites,
INT: on account of Midian

59 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4080
59 Occurrences


bə·miḏ·yān — 4 Occ.
kə·miḏ·yān — 1 Occ.
miḏ·yān — 51 Occ.
mim·miḏ·yān — 1 Occ.
ū·miḏ·yān — 2 Occ.

4079
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