Lives of Scripture

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).

The Midianites

The Midianites descended from Midian, one of Abraham's sons by Keturah, whom Abraham sent away east with gifts (Genesis 25:1-6). They first appear as traders: Joseph's brothers sold him to a caravan, and Midianite merchants brought him to Egypt (Genesis 37:25-36). Scripture names both Ishmaelites and Midianites in the account, and interpreters differ on how the two groups relate.

Midian gave Moses a home and a family. Jethro, the priest of Midian, became his father-in-law, rejoiced at what God had done for Israel, offered sacrifices, and advised Moses to share the work of judging the people (Exodus 18). Moses urged Hobab, a Midianite relative by marriage, to travel with Israel as a guide (Numbers 10:29-32). Yet Midian's elders joined Moab in hiring Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:4-7). At Peor a Midianite woman, Cozbi, was killed with the Israelite who brought her into the camp (Numbers 25:6-18), and Israel then fought a war against Midian in which Balaam himself died (Numbers 31:1-8).

In the time of the judges, Midianite raiders came year after year on camels and stripped the land until Gideon's three hundred routed them (Judges 6-8). That victory became a byword. Psalm 83:9-11 asks God to do to Israel's enemies as He did to Midian, and Isaiah 9:4 compares the coming deliverance through the promised Child to the day of Midian's defeat.