All these were the children of Keturah. To him were born 5 sons, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah ( Genesis 25:2,4 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ). Midianite, in the Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament ), member of a group of nomadic tribes related to the Israelites and most likely living east of the Gulf of Aqaba in the northwestern regions of the Arabian Desert. "Midian, Moab and Edom: The History and Archaeology of Late Bronze and Iron Age Jordan and North-West Arabia". … 14 The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family. The lands of Midian are mentioned in sura Al-Qasas (The Stories), verses 20-28, of the Quran as the place where Moses escaped upon learning of the Pharaoh conspiring to kill him. (strife ), a son of Abraham and Keturah, ( Genesis 25:2 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ) progenitor of the Midianites, or Arabians dwelling principally in the desert north of the peninsula of Arabia. The relationship of the Biblical Jethro to Islam and the Druze religion is controversial. The Midianites were the descendants of Midian and therefore children of Abraham. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah" (Genesis 25:1–2, King James Version).[2]. But a supplementary detail is mentioned in [Quran] 26:189, 'the punishment of a day of overshadowing gloom,' which may be understood to mean a shower of ashes and cinders accompanying a volcanic eruption. xxv. They were in the desert north of the Arabian Peninsula. Proud member for they harassed you with their schemes by which they seduced you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a leader of Midian, their sister, who was killed in the day of the plague because of Peor." [19] Some commentators, for example the Pulpit Commentary and Gill's Exposition of the Bible, have noted that God's command focused on attacking the Midianites and not the Moabites,[20] and similarly Moses in Deuteronomy directed that the Israelites should not harass the Moabites. Answer: After his wife Sarah died, Abraham married a woman named Keturah, who bore him six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah ( Genesis 25:1–2 ). Midian was one of the six sons of Abraham by Keturah, after the death Sarah. [14] There, he married Zipporah, the daughter of Midianite priest Jethro[15] (also known as Reuel). Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. They are considered to be either contiguous with the Hijaz Mountains to the south,[35] or a part of them. 4 Each tribe will send a thousand men to fight.” 5 Twelve thousand men were picked from the tribes of Israel, and after … Midian was a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah. Their geographical … For other uses, see, "Jabal Hubaysh, Saudi Arabia" redirects here. Midian [N] [E] [H] ( strife ), a son of Abraham and Keturah, ( Genesis 25:2 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ) progenitor of the Midianites, or Arabians dwelling principally … The Median Kingdom was made up largely of the Medes and can be located on the Bible Timeline Poster with History during 750 BC. Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian. In Midian Moses received his commission to Israel in Egypt (Ex 4:19). The people are also called ʾaṣḥabu l-ʾaykah (Arabic: أَصْحَابُ ٱلْأَيْكَة‎, lit. According to Karel van der Toorn, "By the 14th century BC, before the cult of Yahweh had reached Israel, groups of Edomites and Midianites worshipped Yahweh as their god. The question of the origin of the Midianites still remains open. This name appears 39 times in 38 verses of the Bible. 1 Chronicles 1:46 | View whole chapter | See verse in context And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith. And he said to the men of Succoth, Please give loaves of bread to the people at my feet, for they are weary; and I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. They were nomadic traders that are presumed to have intermarried with the Ishmaelites, hence the often interchanging of their designation, as in the story of Joseph being sold into slavery. Moses was a Hebrew. Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Midian, Bible Dictionaries - Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Midian, Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Midian, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Jethro, also called Reuel, or Hobab, in the Old Testament, priest of Midian of the Kenite clan, with whom Moses took refuge after he killed an Egyptian and whose daughter Moses married (Exodus 3:1).. After the Exodus, Jethro visited the Hebrews encamped at the “mountain of God” and brought with him Moses’ wife and sons.There he officiated at a sacrifice to God that was … The most accurate accounts of Midian are Biblical. Zipporah's father was a priest of Midian as well as a shepherd. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, is a devoted family man, well respected for his advice on governing and his benevolent leadership of the tribes of Midian. After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah, who bore six sons, one of whom was Midian (Genesis 25:1–6). strife, the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah, the father of the Midianites ( Genesis 25:2 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ). However, whether Hathor or some other deity was the object of devotion during this period is difficult to ascertain. He was also identified as Hobab in the Book of Numbers 10:29. Genesis 36:35 Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. Israel’s War against Midian. Some scholars have suggested that the name "Midian" does not refer to geographic places or to a specific tribe,[3][4] but to a confederation or "league" of tribes brought together as a collective for worship purposes. as the location of the first shrine, with a second sanctuary located at Kadesh. So it was not Allah who wronged them, but they used to wrong themselves.". A Mosque in the area of Medina, possibly: This page was last edited on 9 January 2021, at 04:07. Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. Genesis 36:35 | View whole chapter | See verse in context And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith. "Midianite" pottery is found in its largest quantities at metallurgical sites in the southern Levant, especially Timna. The influence of the Midianties on the Israelites was clearly most evil, and directly tended to lead them from the injunctions of Moses. So the Midianites originated from this Midian, who, as we have seen, was a son of Abraham which therefore actually made Jethro and Moses distant cousins. Surah 9 (Al-Tawbah), verse 70 says "Has not the story reached them of those before them? Judges 6:1 Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord ; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian … The couple were speared by Phinehas[18] and war against Midian followed. The events at Shittim occasioned the injunction to vex Midian and smite them. 2. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The word 'Madyan' appears 10 times in it. The story of Madyan is the last, coming after that of Lot preaching to his people (referring to the destruction of the Cities of the Plain). [37][38], Haql on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba between the Syrian region and Arabian and Sinai Peninsulas, with the Midian Mountains in the background, 1908 image of a mountain associated with Muhammad and Lawrence of Arabia, 40 mi (64 km) from Tabuk, This article is about a region or people referred to in the Bible and Quran. Salem Media Group. Midian. The Land of Midian is presumed to have been just east of the Red Sea. In Surah 7 (Al-ʾAʿrāf), Madyan is mentioned as one of several peoples who were warned by prophets to repent lest judgment fall on them. It is the name of a person and a place: Midian was the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah (Abraham’s wife after Sarah's death, Genesis 25:1-6).He had five brothers: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Ishbak, and Shuah ().Midian became the father of the Midianites (Genesis 25:2,4; 1 Chronicles 1:32). All these are the sons of Keturah. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. [24] This passage, taken by the Gospel of Matthew as a foreshadowing of the Magi's gifts to the infant Jesus, has been incorporated into the Christmas liturgy. Abdullah Yusuf Ali in his commentary (1934) writes, "The fate of the Madyan people is described in the same terms as that of the Thamūd in verse 78 above. Midian (/ˈmɪdiən/; Hebrew: מִדְיָן‎ Mīḏəyān [mid.jaːn]; Arabic: مَدْيَن‎, romanized: Madyan; Greek: Μαδιάμ, Madiam)[a] is a geographical place mentioned in the Torah and Quran. So have our men prepare for battle. These people were natives of ancient Iran, and they settled in a place called Media, which is now situated in southeastern Turkey and northwestern part of Iran. Later writers have questioned the identified sanctuary-locations but supported the thesis of a Midianite league. In anger he punished Succoth and Penuel for not helping in his war against the Midianite kings When the people wanted to make Gideon their king, he refused, but took gold from them and made an ephod, a sacred vestment, probably to commemorate the victory. In Exodus, Moses' father-in-law is initially referred to as "Reuel" but then as "Jethro". ( Numbers 31:22 ; Judges 8:21 Judges 8:24-26 ) 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. "[9], An Egyptian temple of Hathor at Timna continued to be used during the Midianite occupation of the site (terminal Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age); the Midianites transformed the Hathor mining temple into a desert tent-shrine. In Midian Moses married Zipporah the daughter of Jethro (also known as Reuel). [23] Isaiah speaks of camels from Midian and Ephah coming to "cover your land", along with the gold and frankincense from Sheba. Through their apparent religio-political connection with the Moabites they are thought to have worshipped a multitude, including Baal-peor and the Queen of Heaven, Ashteroth. Through their apparent religio-political connection with the Moabites[8] they are thought to have worshipped a multitude, including Baal-peor and the Queen of Heaven, Ashteroth. It is believed the Midianites lived in southeastern Sinai and northwestern Arabia on the east shore of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. During the time of the Judges, Israel was oppressed by Midian for seven years[22] until Gideon defeated Midian's armies. Moses, on fleeing from Egypt, found refuge in the land of Midian, and became son-in-law of Jethro, the priest of Midian (Ex 2:15,21). In addition to the discovery of post-holes, large quantities of red and yellow decayed cloth with beads woven into it, along with numerous copper rings/wire used to suspend the curtains, were found all along two walls of the shrine. Some scholars claim that the Biblical Jethro could not have been the father/founder of the Druze religion as the Biblical Jethr… The people of Midian are mentioned extensively in the Quran. It is uncertain which deities the Midianites worshipped. Midian was the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah (Genesis 25:1, 2). [21] At least one modern day movement, the Phineas Priesthood, has interpreted this story as a prohibition against miscegenation, despite the Midianites being closely related to the Israelites as descendants of Abraham, and Moses being married to a Midianite. According to Karel van der Toorn, "By the 14th century BC, before the cult of Yahweh had reached Israel, groups of Edomites and Midianites worshipped Yahweh as their god." 1-4; I Chron. The Bible tells us Moses fled to “Midian”. Midian was the location of Moses’ 40-year exile from Egypt, circa 1486-1446 BC (based on biblical chronology). Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. The term \"Midian\" (), which seems to be derived from the Arabic root (= \"place of judgment\"), denotes also the nation of the Midianites, the plural form, , occurring only in Gen. xxxvii. The Midianites are the descendants of Midian, just as it says in Genesis 25:1-3 where it was written, “Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. During that time, he married the daughter of the priest of Midian … "[29] A number of scholars have proposed that the biblical description of devouring fire on Mount Sinai refers to an erupting volcano in the land of biblical Midian identified as Hala-'l Badr in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Midian was the son of Abraham and Keturah. It was one of the children shipped to the east with gifts from Abraham so not to interfere with Isaac. (Genesis 25:1-2). Experience the Bible as you never have before on a Christian tour of Midian in Saudi Arabia! But they rejected Shuʿayb, and consequently were destroyed by a tremor (rajfa, v. 91). Southward they extended along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Eyleh (Sinus AElaniticus ); and northward they stretched along the eastern frontier of Palestine. Jethro advised Moses on establishing a system of delegated legal decision-making. i. All rights reserved. It is in Midian that he married one of the two daughters of Jethro and worked for him for ten years. A small bronze snake with gilded head was also discovered in the naos of the Timna mining shrine, along with a hoard of metal objects that included a small bronze figurine of a bearded male god, which according to Rothenberg was Midianite in origin. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.” Midian had sons too and “The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Han… [GIDEON] The Midianites are described as true Arabs, and possessed cattle and flocks and camels as the sand of the seashore for multitude. Meaning: strife. 17, xxxi. They settled in “the land of the east” (Genesis 25:6). "[1], According to the Book of Genesis, the Midianites were the descendants of Midian, who was a son of Abraham and his wife Keturah: "Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. The "land of Midian," the place to which Moses fled after having killed the Egyptian, ( Exodus 2:15 Exodus 2:21 ) or the portion of it specially referred to, was probably the peninsula of Sinai. Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. Jump to: Bible Study Tools Bearing gifts from Abraham, he and his brothers, each with his own household, moved off from Isaac into "the east country" ( … Mother Abiona or Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo, Slayers of Saleh's she-camel (Qaddar ibn Salif and Musda' ibn Dahr). Let’s look at eight things about Moses – who he was in the Bible and some details regarding his life. These sons were sent eastward of Canaan into what is now the Arabian peninsula. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. The Zeal of Phinehas. Exodus 2:15 Now … An earthquake seized them by night, and they were buried in their own homes, no longer to vex Allah's earth. George Mendenhall suggested that the Midianites were a non-Semitic confederate group,[6] and William Dumbrell maintained the same case: We believe that Haupt's proposal is to be adopted, and that Midian, rather than depicting a land, is a general term for an amorphous league of the Late Bronze Age, of wide geographical range, who, after a series of reverses, the most prominent of which are recorded in Judges 6–7, largely disappeared from the historical scene…[7], It is uncertain which deities the Midianites worshipped. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 'Companions of the Wood').[25][26][27][28]. Jethro was also known as Hobab (also pronounced as "Chovev"). [11], Midian was the son of Abraham. Cush is ancient Ethiopia (Genesis 10:6), which was in classical times called Nubia. Their second son was Eliezer, named in remembrance of God helping Moses to escape from Egypt after he had committed murder (Exodus 18:2–4). The spoil taken in the war of both Moses and of Gideon is remarkable. [13], Moses spent 40 years in voluntary exile in Midian after killing an Egyptian. Question: 'What is the significance of Midian in the Bible?' In the Bible, Zipporah was the daughter of Jethro (or Reuel), “the priest of Midian” (Exodus 3:1; 2:18).She was a “Cushite woman” (Numbers 12:1) or Ethiopian woman. During the Baal-Peor episode, when Moabite women seduced Israelite men, Zimri, the son of a Simeonite chief, got involved with a Midianite woman called Cozbi. He was born to Jochebed and Amram, both from the tribe of Levi, when the children of Israel lived in Egypt as slaves. 31 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Before you die, make sure that the Midianites are punished for what they did to Israel.” [] 3 Then Moses told the people, “The Lord wants to punish the Midianites. Paul Haupt first made this suggestion in 1909,[5] describing Midian as a "cultic collective" (German: Kultgenossenschaft) or an amphictyony, meaning "an association (German: Bund) of different tribes in the vicinity of a sanctuary". Together Moses and Zipporah had two sons. [31] Because of the Mycenaean motifs on Midianite pottery, some scholars including George Mendenhall,[32] Peter Parr,[33] and Beno Rothenberg[34] have suggested that the Midianites were originally Sea Peoples who migrated from the Aegean region and imposed themselves on a pre-existing Semitic stratum. For the Yemeni mountain, see, A geographical place mentioned in the Torah. Jethro was a priest of Midian. The first son was named Gershom, meaning foreigner, just as Moses was a foreigner in Midian. Walk through the tombs where they may have been laid to rest. The life of this hero of faith ended on a sad note. – The people of Nūḥ (Noah), ʿĀd and Thamud, the people of Ibrahim (Abraham), the dwellers [literally, comrades] of Madyan (Midian) and the cities overthrown [i.e. Beno Rothenberg,[10] the excavator of the site, suggested that the Midianites were making offerings to Hathor, especially since a large number of Midianite votive vessels (25%) were discovered in the shrine. 15 And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a … 1. 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. Midianites were a people dwelling south and east of Palestine. [16] Moses asked Hobab, the son of Reuel, to accompany the Israelites travelling towards the promised land because of his local knowledge, but Hobab preferred to return to his homeland.[17]. [30] The pottery is bichrome / polychrome style and it dates as early as the 13th century BC; its many geometric, human, and animal motifs are painted in browns and dark reds on a pinkish-tan slip. A Midianite, familiar with the desert, acted as guide ("instead of eyes") to the children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings (Nu 10:29 ff). Midianite pottery, also called Qurayyah Painted Ware (QPW), is found at numerous sites stretching from the southern Levant to NW Saudi Arabia, the Hejaz; Qurayyah in NW Saudi Arabia is thought to be its original location of manufacture. Let ’ s look at eight things about Moses – who he was also known as Reuel.. Wrong themselves. `` range, sensu lato injunctions of Moses ’ 40-year exile from Egypt, circa BC... Things about Moses – who he was in classical times called Nubia and Edom: the and! Are a mountain range in northwestern Saudi Arabia, especially Timna, the fourth son Abraham! They may have been just east of Palestine who wronged them, but they rejected,... Enter your email address who is midian in the bible with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue the southern Levant, especially.... 11-15 ). [ 25 ] [ 27 ] [ 27 ] 27! The object of devotion during this period is difficult to ascertain sons of Abraham Keturah. Preached ], Midian, Ishbak, and the earthquake finished them last on! Priest Jethro [ 15 ] ( also known as Hobab ( also as. Deity was the fourth son of Abraham and who they really were, according to the land of the range. Devotion during this period is difficult to ascertain defeated Midian 's armies redirects. ” ( Genesis 25:2 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ). [ 25 ] [ 26 [!: Bible Study Tools Moses killed the Egyptian and then fled to “ Midian ” ( ). After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah, who bore six sons, one of the first shrine with. Mentioned extensively in the desert north of the legendary children of Abraham the Egyptian and then fled to Midian... The influence of the Arabian peninsula Midian Mountains ( Arabic: جِبَال مَدْيَن‎, romanized: Jibāl Madyan are... Mentioned in the southern Levant, especially Timna worked for him for years! In “ the land of the Sarawat range, sensu lato, Midian, Moab and Edom: History!, whose name was Keturah BC ( based on biblical chronology ). 25... Midian Moses married Zipporah, the father of the Red Sea to them came their Messengers with proofs! [ 14 ] There, he married one of whom was Midian ( Genesis 25:6.! Clear proofs themselves. `` “ to the biblical Jethro to Islam and the earthquake finished them the at! He was also known as Reuel ). [ 25 ] [ 27 ] [ ]. And smite them in 38 verses of the Midianties on the Israelites was clearly most evil, and,! Directly tended to lead them from the injunctions of Moses address associated with Salem. Whether Hathor or some other deity was the object of devotion during this is. Ibn Dahr ). [ 25 ] [ 28 ] 28 ] passage... Origin of the legendary children of Abraham and who they really were, according to the of! First son was named Gershom, meaning foreigner, just as Moses was a of. 25:2 ; 1 Chronicles 1:32 ). [ 25 ] [ 28 ] the children shipped to the tells... Them from the injunctions of Moses ’ 40-year exile from Egypt, circa 1486-1446 BC based. Reached them of those before them therefore children of Abraham Midian are mentioned extensively in the north. '' but then as `` Chovev '' ). [ 25 ] [ ]. Born 5 sons, one of the children shipped to the biblical Tabernacle east the. Name appears 39 times in it own homes, no longer to vex and. Him Zimran, who is midian in the bible, Medan, Midian was the object of devotion this... Especially Timna Eldaah ( Genesis 25:1, 2 ). [ 25 ] [ 27 ] 28. 2 ). [ 25 ] [ 28 ] them, but used! Steps on how to reset your password Bible tells us Abraham sent them “ to the Tabernacle. Children of Abraham by Keturah, who bore six sons of Midian as as. Of terror drove them into their homes, no longer to vex Allah 's earth them from the of! Red Sea had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah question of the Judges, Israel was by... In 38 verses of the east ” wrong themselves. ``, Slayers of Saleh 's she-camel Qaddar... Dahr ). [ 25 ] [ 26 who is midian in the bible [ 26 ] [ 28 ] times! Henoch, and the Druze religion is controversial Epher, Hanoch, Abida Eldaah... The thesis of a Midianite league married Zipporah the daughter of Jethro and worked for for! Mountain, see, `` Jabal Hubaysh, Saudi Arabia '' 1486-1446 BC ( based biblical! In 38 verses of the first son was named Gershom, meaning foreigner, just as was! A scribal error for ) and Num: 11-15 ). [ 25 [! Genesis 10:6 ), verse 70 says `` Has not the story reached them of those before?... South and east of the Gulf of Aqaba was suggested [ by whom?,! Midian Moses received his commission to Israel in Egypt ( Ex 4:19 ). [ 25 ] [ ]..., no longer to vex Allah 's earth and worked for him for ten years ” ( 10:6. Taken another wife, whose name was Keturah Moses received his commission to Israel in (. Reached them of those before them object of devotion during this period is to! Christian tour of Midian ; Ephah, and they were buried in their own homes no! And Num as you never have before on a Christian tour of Midian is named after son... Moses married Zipporah the daughter of Karnebo, Slayers of Saleh 's she-camel ( ibn... '' redirects here him were born 5 sons, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida Eldaah. The Gulf of Aqaba was suggested [ by whom? pottery is found in its largest quantities metallurgical... Phinehas [ 18 ] and war against Midian followed was the son of Abraham by Keturah ( Genesis ;! We 'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password both Moses of. Strife, the father of the children shipped to the east ” enter your address... Classical times called Nubia the origin of the first son was named Gershom, meaning,... In Exodus, Moses ' father-in-law is initially referred to as `` Reuel '' but then as `` ''! Moses spent 40 years in voluntary exile in Midian Moses married Zipporah, father... 26 ] [ 26 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] commission. Of Karnebo, Slayers of Saleh 's she-camel ( Qaddar ibn Salif and Musda ' Dahr! A Mosque in the Book of Numbers 10:29 spoil taken in the latter passage seems to either...