The Midianites, a nomadic people mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, are often associated with the Ishmaelites, another group descended from Abraham. This connection is particularly evident in the narrative of Joseph, where the terms "Midianites" and "Ishmaelites" are used interchangeably. The Midianites were descendants of 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."

Historical Context and Identity

The Midianites inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and the Sinai Peninsula, extending into the Arabian Desert. They were known for their nomadic lifestyle, often engaging in trade and pastoral activities. The association with the Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, is seen in Genesis 37:28, where Joseph is sold by his brothers: "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Midianites played a significant role in the religious and cultural landscape of the ancient Near East. Moses, the great leader and prophet of Israel, found refuge among the Midianites after fleeing Egypt. He married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also known as Reuel), a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15-21). Jethro's influence on Moses is notable, as he provided counsel on governance and worship practices (Exodus 18:17-24).

Conflict with Israel

Despite these connections, the Midianites were often in conflict with the Israelites. The Book of Numbers recounts a significant confrontation when the Midianites, in alliance with the Moabites, sought to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Later, God commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor (Numbers 25:16-18; 31:1-12).

Judges and the Midianite Oppression

The Midianites are prominently featured in the Book of Judges during the time of Gideon. They oppressed Israel for seven years, leading to a period of great hardship. Judges 6:1-2 states, "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel." Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites, with only 300 men, is a testament to God's deliverance and power (Judges 7:7-25).

Legacy and Significance

The Midianites, while often adversaries of Israel, were integral to the unfolding narrative of God's people. Their interactions with key biblical figures like Moses and Gideon highlight the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighbors. The dual identity as both Midianites and Ishmaelites underscores the interconnectedness of the ancient Semitic peoples and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants.Genesis 37:25,28
And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 8:24
And Gideon said to them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Nave's Topical Index

The Nations of the South-East
... The Midianites seem to have continued in occupation of ... had to pass before the Edomites
were called upon to ... Arabia, however, was the home of the Ishmaelites. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an ... bought him of the hand of
the Ishmaelites, which had ... and was fled forth, that she called unto the men ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

What Cain's Reason was for Building a City So Early in the History ...
... Eve his wife, and she conceived, and bare a son, and called his name ... Sarah,"that
is, his descendants by Hagar and Keturah, the Ishmaelites, Midianites, etc. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 what cains reason was.htm

The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... to me, Even so, brother; for when the Ishmaelites took me ... even as He reproved Esau
among the Midianites, who deceived ... And I shall no longer be called a ravening ...
/.../xii the testament of benjamin concerning.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... His father called him to go and find his brethren, to see how ... boy weeping in his
prison before a caravan of Ishmaelites, and then of Midianites, came in ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Jehoshaphat
... Jehoshaphat was firm in his request that the man of God be called; and upon ... The
tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; ... Do unto them as unto the Midianites; ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Israelites
... the Israelites, like the Ishmaelites, of a ... king Meneptah they are accordingly called
Israelu, "Israelites ... Moabites and Midianites, Ammonites and Bedawin, even ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... thus, he abiding in sorrow, the Midianites carried Joseph ... an Egyptian, bought him
of the hands of Ishmaelites. ... she was refused, she cried and called the men of ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an ... described, of the caravan
of Ishmaelites with their ... in the wild, passionate men who called him 'father ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... was a very coarse garment"if it deserved to be called a garment ... But the Midianites
sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, a eunuch of ... those of Judah; Ishmaelites vs. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

Who were the Midianites? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God command the Israelites to completely destroy the Midianites in Numbers 31:17? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Midian in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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