The Midianites were a nomadic people descended from Midian, one of the sons of Abraham through his wife Keturah, as recorded in Genesis 25:1-2: "Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah." The Midianites are frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament, often in the context of their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites.

Geographical Location and Lifestyle

The Midianites inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, extending into the Arabian Peninsula. They were primarily a nomadic people, known for their trade and commerce, as well as their skills in metalwork. The Midianites are often associated with the desert regions, as seen in the account of Moses fleeing to Midian and dwelling there after leaving Egypt (Exodus 2:15).

Religious Practices

The Midianites practiced a form of paganism that included the worship of Baal and other deities. This is evident in the narrative of Balaam, where the Midianites, along with the Moabites, attempted to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Their religious practices often led the Israelites into idolatry, as seen in the incident at Peor, where Israelite men were seduced by Midianite women to worship Baal of Peor (Numbers 25:1-3).

Conflicts with Israel

The Midianites are most notably remembered for their conflicts with the Israelites during the period of the Judges. In Judges 6-8, the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, oppressed Israel for seven years. They would invade the land during harvest time, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished. This oppression led to the rise of Gideon, whom God called to deliver Israel from Midianite domination. With a small army of 300 men, Gideon defeated the Midianites, as recorded in Judges 7:22: "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one Midianite against another throughout the camp."

Cultural and Historical Impact

The Midianites played a significant role in the history of Israel, both as adversaries and as a people with whom the Israelites had complex interactions. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, was a priest of Midian, and he provided Moses with counsel and support during the Exodus (Exodus 18). This relationship highlights the multifaceted nature of Israel's interactions with the Midianites, which were not solely adversarial.

Divine Judgment

The Midianites faced divine judgment for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality. In Numbers 31, God commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites, resulting in a military campaign that led to their defeat and the execution of their kings and Balaam, who had counseled them against Israel.

The Midianites serve as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of leading God's people astray. Their interactions with Israel underscore the importance of faithfulness to God and the perils of compromising with pagan practices.Mid'ianites (12 Occurrences)

Genesis 37:36
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard.
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:17
Harass the Midianites, and smite them;
(See RSV)

Numbers 31:2
'Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites; afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.'
(See RSV)

Judges 6:3
For whenever the Israelites put in seed the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and the people of the East would come up and attack them;
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:7
When the people of Israel cried to the LORD on account of the Mid'ianites,
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:11
Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak at Ophrah, which belonged to Jo'ash the Abiez'rite, as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Mid'ianites.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:16
And the LORD said to him, "But I will be with you, and you shall smite the Mid'ianites as one man."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:33
Then all the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and the people of the East came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:2
The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Mid'ianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, 'My own hand has delivered me.'
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:7
And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will deliver you, and give the Mid'ianites into your hand; and let all the others go every man to his home."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:12
And the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the seashore for multitude.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:24
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of E'phraim, saying, "Come down against the Mid'ianites and seize the waters against them, as far as Beth-bar'ah, and also the Jordan." So all the men of E'phraim were called out, and they seized the waters as far as Beth-bar'ah, and also the Jordan.
(DBY RSV)

Mid'ianites (12 Occurrences)
Mid'ianites. Midianites, Mid'ianites. Midianitess . Multi-Version
Concordance Mid'ianites (12 Occurrences). Genesis 37:36 And the ...
/m/mid'ianites.htm - 9k

Amal'ekites (24 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:3 For whenever the Israelites put in seed the Mid'ianites and the
Amal'ekites and the people of the East would come up and attack them; (DBY RSV). ...
/a/amal'ekites.htm - 13k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)

/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)
... sat under the oak at Ophrah, which belonged to Jo'ash the Abiez'rite, as his son
Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Mid'ianites...
/j/jo'ash.htm - 19k

Midianitess (3 Occurrences)

/m/midianitess.htm - 7k

Beth-bar'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of E'phraim,
saying, "Come down against the Mid'ianites and seize the waters against them ...
/b/beth-bar'ah.htm - 6k

Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence)
... sat under the oak at Ophrah, which belonged to Jo'ash the Abiez'rite, as his son
Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Mid'ianites...
/a/abiez'rite.htm - 6k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of E'phraim,
saying, "Come down against the Mid'ianites and seize the waters against them ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

Crossing (26 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:33 Then all the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and the people of the East
came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of ...
/c/crossing.htm - 14k

Seize (91 Occurrences)
... Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of E'phraim,
saying, "Come down against the Mid'ianites and seize the waters against them ...
/s/seize.htm - 34k

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