Topical Encyclopedia Midian is a significant biblical figure known as one of the sons of Abraham through his wife Keturah. After the death of Sarah, Abraham took Keturah as a wife, and she bore him several children, among whom Midian is prominently mentioned. The account of Midian's birth is 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."Genealogy and Descendants Midian's lineage is crucial in understanding the broader narrative of the Old Testament, as his descendants, the Midianites, play a recurring role in the history of Israel. The Midianites are often depicted as both relatives and adversaries of the Israelites. The genealogical record in 1 Chronicles 1:32-33 reiterates Midian's place among the sons of Keturah: "The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan." Role in Biblical History The Midianites, as descendants of Midian, are frequently mentioned in the context of their interactions with the Israelites. One of the most notable figures associated with Midian is Moses, who fled to the land of Midian after killing an Egyptian. In Midian, Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also known as Reuel), a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15-21). This connection highlights the complex relationship between the Israelites and the Midianites, as Moses' father-in-law later provided him with wise counsel during the Exodus journey (Exodus 18:1-27). Conflict with Israel Despite these familial ties, the Midianites are often portrayed as adversaries of Israel. In the Book of Numbers, the Midianites, along with the Moabites, conspired to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). This enmity culminated in a divine command for Israel to wage war against Midian as retribution for their role in leading the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Peor (Numbers 25:16-18, 31:1-12). Cultural and Religious Influence The Midianites were a nomadic people, and their culture and religious practices occasionally influenced the Israelites. The worship of Baal of Peor, which led to a significant apostasy among the Israelites, was partly attributed to Midianite influence (Numbers 25:1-3). This incident underscores the ongoing spiritual and cultural challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal identity amidst surrounding nations. Legacy Midian's legacy is thus twofold: he is both a progenitor of a people who had familial ties with Israel and a symbol of the external threats and internal challenges that Israel faced throughout its history. The narrative of Midian and the Midianites serves as a reminder of the complexities of kinship, faith, and conflict in the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 25:2,4And she bore him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. Nave's Topical Index 1 Chronicles 1:32,33 Strong's Hebrew 4080. Midyan -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his desc. and ...... Midyan Phonetic Spelling: (mid-yawn') Short Definition: Midian. Word Origin from the same as madon Definition a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his desc. ... /hebrew/4080.htm - 6k 28. Abida -- "my father took knowledge," a son of Midian Library Chapter xxv How Moses Fled Out of Egypt into Midian. The Antiquities of the Jews The Book of Jubilees The Nations of the South-East The Israelites The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Resources Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jethro in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Kenites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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