midian Summary and Overview

strife, the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah, the father of the Midianites (Gen. 25:2; 1 Chr. 1:32).

(strife), a son of Abraham and Keturah, #Ge 25:2; 1Ch 1:32| progenitor of the Midianites, or Arabians dwelling principally in the desert north of the peninsula of Arabia. Southward they extended along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Eyleh (Sinus AElaniticus); and northward they stretched along the eastern frontier of Israel. The "land of Midian," the place to which Moses fled after having killed the Egyptian, #Ex 2:15,21| or the portion of it specially referred to, was probably the peninsula of Sinai. The influence of the Midianties on the Israelites was clearly most evil, and directly tended to lead them from the injunctions of Moses. The events at Shittim occasioned the injunction to vex Midian and smite them. After a lapse of some years, the Midianites appear again as the enemies of the Israelites, oppressing them for seven years, but are finally defeated with great slaughter by Gideon. [GIDEON] The Midianites are described as true Arabs, and possessed cattle and flocks and camels as the sand of the seashore for multitude. The spoil taken in the war of both Moses and of Gideon is remarkable. #Nu 31:22; Jud 8:21,24-26| We have here a wealthy Arab nation, living by plunder, delighting in finery; and, where forays were impossible, carrying ont he traffic southward into Arabia, the land of gold --if not naturally, by trade-- and across to Chaldea, or into the rich plains of Egypt.

MID'IAN (strife). The territory of Midian extended, according to some scholars, from the Elanitic Gulf to Moab and Mount Sinai, or, according to others, from the Sinaitic peninsula to the desert and the banks of the Euphrates. The people traded with Palestine, Lebanon, and Egypt. Gen 37:28. Joseph was probably bought by them, perhaps in companv with Ishmaelites. See Gen 37:25, Gen 37:27-28, Eze 23:36, and Gen 25:2, Ex 6:4, Jud 4:12, Ex 17:16. Moses dwelt in Midian. Ex 2:15-21; Num 10:29. Midian joined Moab against Israel and enticed that nation into sin, for which it was destroyed. Num 22, Num 24, Num 25. Later, Midian recovered, became a powerful nation, and oppressed the Hebrews, but were miraculously defeated by Gideon. Jud 6:1-40; Jud 7:1-25; Jud 8:1-28; Ps 83:9, Rev 1:11; Isa 9:4; Hab 3:7. The Midianites henceforward became gradually incorporated with the neighboring Moabites and Arabians. In the region east of Edom and Moab are many ancient ruins, and portions of the territory are of great fertility, producing bountiful crops for the modern Arabs - the tribe of Beni Sakk'r, which bears considerable resemblance in race, character, and habits to what is known of the ancient Midianites. "Curtains of Midian," Hab 3:7, is a figurative expression denoting the borders or inhabitants of Midian.

("strife".) Abraham's son by Keturah (Genesis 25:2). The race occupied the desert N. of Arabia, and southwards the E. of the Elanitic gulf of the Red Sea; northwards, along the E. of Israel. The oases of Sinai too were included in their "land," because they had pasturage stations there. As merchants passing through Israel from Gilead to Egypt, they bought Joseph from his brethren (Genesis 37:28). They are there called Ismaelites, though Ishmael was Hagar's son not Keturah's. frontISMAELITES.) But being close neighbors, and related on their common father Abraham's side, and joined in caravans and commercial enterprises, Ishmael, the name of the more powerful tribe, was given as a general name for both and for several smaller associated tribes (compare Judges 8:1 with Judges 8:24). Moses fled to the land of Midian (Exodus 2:15-16; Exodus 2:21; Exodus 3:1), in the pastures near Horeb, and married a daughter of the priest of Midian. They were joined with Moab in desiring Balsam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:4; Numbers 22:7; Numbers 25:6; Numbers 25:15; Numbers 25:17-18), and then in tempting Israel at Shittim to whoredom and idolatry with Baal Peor. So, by Jehovah's command, 1,000 warriors of every tribe, 12,000 in all, of Israel "vexed and smote" their five kings (Zur included, father of Cozbi the Midianite woman slain with Zimri by Phinehas in the act of sin) and Balaam the giver of the wicked counsel which brought Jehovah's wrath on Israel for the sin (Numbers 31:2-17). Their males and any women that knew man carnally were slain, and their cities and castles burnt. Their inferior position as tributary dependents on Moab accounts for their omission from Balaam's prophecy. (On Israel's oppression by Midian (Judges 6-8), and deliverance, see GIDEON.) A considerable time must have elapsed to admit of their recovery from the blow inflicted by Moses. Midian by its consanguinity was more likely to corrupt Israel than the abhorred Canaanites. The defeat by Gideon was so decisive that Midian never afterward appears in arms against Israel; symbolizing Messiah's, Israel's, and the church's final triumph over the world: Isaiah 9:4; Habakkuk 3:7 "the curtains (tents) of Midian tremble." Though nomadic as the Bedouins they yet settled in the land of Moab, occupying Sihon's "cities" and "goodly castles," which they did not build (probably the more ancient ones in the Lejah are as old as Sihon and Midian), and retaining beeves, sheep, and asses, but not camels, which are needless and unhealthy in a settled state. In their next raids on Israel in Gideon's days they appear as nomads with countless camels. The "gold, silver, brass, iron, tin, and lead" (Numbers 31:22) taken by Moses, along with the vast number of cattle and flocks, accord with the picture of their wealth in Judges (Judges 6:4-5; Judges 8:21-26), partly pastoral, partly gold, and the metals obtained either by plunder or by traffic with Arabia. (See MINES.) Traces of the name Midian appear in Modiana E. of the Elanitic gulf, mentioned by Ptolemy (vi. 7). Also the Muzeiny Arabs W. of the gulf of Akabah. Moses' entreaty of Hobab illustrates their wandering habits. (See PARAN; KENITE.)