Midian; Midianites
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Midian; Midianites in the Bible?
Midian refers to both a patriarchal figure identified in Genesis as the son of Abraham and Keturah and the ethnic group descended from him, who established a tribal confederation in the region between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Sinai Peninsula. Archaeological and textual evidence indicates that the Midianites were semi-nomadic pastoralists and traders who controlled key caravan routes, interacting frequently and often conflictually with the emerging Israelite tribes during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Midianites clarifies the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, explaining the complex relationships between early Israel and neighboring Arabian tribes, including the transmission of religious practices and the historical context of biblical narratives involving Moses and Gideon.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.