The Midianites were a nomadic people descended from Midian, one of the sons of Abraham through his wife Keturah, as recorded in Genesis 25:1-2: "Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah." The Midianites are frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament, often in contexts of conflict and interaction with the Israelites.

Geographical and Cultural Context

The Midianites inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and the Sinai Peninsula, extending into the Arabian Desert. Their territory was not fixed, as they were primarily a nomadic people, known for their trade and commerce. They are often associated with the Arabian tribes and were known for their camels and caravans, which played a significant role in the trade routes of the ancient Near East.

Biblical Interactions

1. Moses and the Midianites: One of the most notable interactions between the Israelites and the Midianites involves Moses. After fleeing Egypt, Moses found refuge in Midian, where he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also known as Reuel), a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15-21). Jethro later provided Moses with wise counsel on governance (Exodus 18:17-24).

2. Opposition and Conflict: The Midianites are often depicted as adversaries of Israel. In Numbers 22-25, they allied with the Moabites to oppose Israel, leading to the incident of Balaam and the subsequent seduction of the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Peor. This resulted in God's judgment upon Israel and a command to Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites (Numbers 25:16-18).

3. Gideon's Victory: During the period of the Judges, the Midianites oppressed Israel for seven years, leading to the rise of Gideon as a deliverer. Judges 6:1-6 describes how the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade and devastate the land. God called Gideon to lead a small army against the Midianites, resulting in a miraculous victory as recounted in Judges 7:19-25.

4. Later References: The Midianites are mentioned in later biblical texts, often in the context of their historical enmity with Israel. Isaiah 60:6 and Habakkuk 3:7 refer to Midian in prophetic and poetic imagery, highlighting their place in the broader narrative of Israel's history.

Religious and Cultural Practices

The Midianites, like many ancient Near Eastern peoples, practiced a polytheistic religion. The incident at Peor (Numbers 25) suggests that they worshiped Baal, a common deity in the region. Their religious practices often brought them into conflict with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

Legacy and Significance

The Midianites serve as a significant example of the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighbors. Their interactions with Israel highlight themes of faithfulness, idolatry, and divine deliverance. The narrative of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, in particular, underscores the biblical theme of God's power and provision in the face of overwhelming odds.Mid'ianite (5 Occurrences)

Genesis 37:28
And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt.
(See RSV)

Numbers 10:29
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law: 'We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said: I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.'
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Numbers 25:6
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting.
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:14
Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the Simeonites.
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:15
And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian.
(See RSV)

Mid'ianite (5 Occurrences)
Mid'ianite. Midianite, Mid'ianite. Midianites . Multi-Version Concordance
Mid'ianite (5 Occurrences). Genesis 37:28 And there passed ...
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Midianite (11 Occurrences)

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Midianites (30 Occurrences)

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