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The Lineage of the Midianites from Abraham and Keturah

Genesis 25:2 and 25:4 record that Midian was one of the sons born to Abraham through Keturah. The text states, “She bore to him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah” (Genesis 25:2). Furthermore, it adds, “The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah” (Genesis 25:4). The Midianites were Abraham’s descendants through Keturah, making them part of his broader lineage but distinct from Isaac’s covenant line. Although Isaac was the heir of the covenant, Jehovah also blessed Abraham’s other descendants, fulfilling the promise that he would become “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4). However, Abraham gave gifts to Keturah’s sons and sent them “eastward, to the land of the east” (Genesis 25:6), separating them from Isaac and the covenant inheritance. This eastward migration placed the Midianites in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula, a region extending toward modern-day Saudi Arabia, with significant settlements near the Gulf of Aqaba. This area, known for its harsh desert terrain, became the homeland of the Midianite tribes.

The Midianites as Traders and Early Regional Influences

The Midianites are first mentioned in relation to the account of Joseph, Abraham’s great-grandson. In Genesis 37:28, Midianite traders are recorded as participating in the sale of Joseph into slavery. The text states, “Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him out and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver.” This account highlights the Midianites’ active participation in regional commerce. Their trade routes connected northern Arabia with Egypt and Canaan, making them significant players in the ancient economy. The interaction between the Midianites and the Ishmaelites, both Abrahamic peoples, indicates overlapping tribal networks in the region.

The Connection Between Moses and the Midianites

The most prominent biblical figure connected with the Midianites is Moses. After fleeing Egypt, Moses settled in Midian and married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15–21). Jethro, also called Reuel, became an important advisor to Moses. In Exodus 18, Jethro observed Moses’ leadership over Israel and advised him to appoint judges to share the burden of leadership, a system that would later influence Israel’s judicial structure. This encounter with Jethro presents the Midianites in a positive light, portraying them as a people with wisdom and a fear of Jehovah. Jethro even offered sacrifices to Jehovah, and Moses’ interaction with him reflects the broader family ties that existed among Abraham’s descendants.

The Conflict Between Israel and Midian

However, the relationship between Israel and Midian later turned hostile. Numbers 25 records that Midianite women, in collaboration with the Moabites, seduced the men of Israel into idolatry and immorality, leading Israel to worship Baal of Peor. Jehovah’s anger burned against Israel, and a plague broke out, killing twenty-four thousand Israelites. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, stopped the plague by executing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman engaged in blatant immorality (Numbers 25:7–9). This event marked a turning point in Israel’s relationship with Midian.

Jehovah’s Judgment on Midian in the Time of Moses

In response to the Midianite seduction and their role in corrupting Israel, Jehovah commanded Moses to execute judgment upon the Midianites. Numbers 31 records a military campaign in which Israel defeated Midian, killed their kings, and executed Balaam, the prophet who had counseled them to cause Israel’s downfall through immorality. The judgment against Midian was severe because their actions had not only harmed Israel physically but also spiritually, leading them into idolatry.

The Midianites as Oppressors During the Judges

Despite this judgment, the Midianites continued to exist as a people and reemerged as oppressors of Israel during the time of the judges. Judges 6–8 describes how the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, devastated Israel’s land by raiding their crops and livestock. This oppression lasted seven years until Jehovah raised up Gideon to deliver Israel. Gideon, empowered by Jehovah, defeated the Midianite army with only three hundred men, using trumpets, jars, and torches to confuse the enemy (Judges 7:19–22). The victory was complete, and Midian’s power was broken, fulfilling the prophecy that Jehovah would deliver Israel from their enemies.

The Complex Relationship Between Israel and Midian

The Midianites were a complex people, capable of both friendship and enmity with Israel. On one hand, their early association with Moses through Jethro showed that some of them retained a knowledge of Jehovah, their ancestor Abraham’s God. On the other hand, their later hostility and seduction of Israel into idolatry led to their downfall. This dual relationship illustrates the broader theme in Scripture that while kinship through Abraham carried potential for blessing, only those who aligned themselves with Jehovah’s covenant shared in the true spiritual inheritance.

The Prophetic Role of the Midianites in Jehovah’s Future Plan

The descendants of Midian also feature in prophetic visions of the future. Isaiah 60:6, describing the restoration of Zion, declares, “A multitude of camels will cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim good news of the praises of Jehovah.” This prophecy envisions the nations descended from Abraham, including the Midianites, participating in the future blessings of Jehovah’s kingdom.

The Spiritual Significance of the Midianites in Biblical History

The ultimate fate of the Midianites as a distinct people is not recorded, but their role in biblical history underscores the complexities of Abraham’s broader family network. As descendants of Abraham through Keturah, they fulfilled Jehovah’s promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations. Their interactions with Israel ranged from cooperation, as seen in Jethro’s counsel to Moses, to hostility, as seen in their alliance with Moab and their oppression of Israel during the time of the judges. The descendants of Midian thus serve as a reminder that relationship with Jehovah, rather than mere lineage, determines one’s place in His plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the origins of the Midianites from Abraham through Keturah highlight the expansive fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise to make Abraham a father of many nations. Although Isaac was the sole heir of the covenant, Abraham’s other descendants played significant roles in biblical history. The Midianites, as a branch of Abraham’s family, contributed to the cultural and historical landscape of the ancient Near East. Their interactions with Israel—from assisting Moses to leading Israel into idolatry—demonstrate the complex relationships that arose within Abraham’s extended family. This account of the Midianites reminds us that spiritual inheritance, not merely physical descent, is what matters most in Jehovah’s unfolding plan.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).