Lives of Scripture
Midian
First named: Exodus 2:15
A region and people east of the Gulf of Aqaba, descended from Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Moses fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian, married Jethro's daughter Zipporah, and received his call from the burning bush while shepherding there (Exodus 2-4). Midianite women later helped lead Israel into idolatry at Baal-peor (Numbers 25), and generations later Midianite raiders oppressed Israel until Gideon, with a vastly outnumbered force, routed them (Judges 6-8).
References: Exodus 2:15; Exodus 2-4; Numbers 25; Judges 6-8
People connected to Midian
- Gershom (M) — Moses's elder son, born during his father's exile in this land
Exodus 2:22
- Hur (M) — one of the five kings of this land killed by Israel
Numbers 31:8
- Jethro (M) — priest of this land and Moses's father-in-law
Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:1
- Moses (M) — fled here from Egypt and kept Jethro's flock for forty years
Exodus 2:15-21
- Zalmunna (M) — a king of this people, captured and killed by Gideon
Judges 8:21
- Zebah (M) — a king of this people, captured and killed by Gideon
Judges 8:21
- Zipporah (F) — the priest of Midian's daughter, who became Moses's wife
Exodus 2:21