Midianite: An Arabian tribe descended from Midian. They inhabited principally the
desert north of the peninsula of Arabia. The peninsula of Sinai was
the pasture-ground for their flocks. They were virtually the rulers
of Arabia, being the dominant tribe. Like all Arabians, they were a
nomad people. They early engaged in commercial pursuits. It was to
one of their caravans that Joseph was sold
(Genesis 37:28,36) The next
notice of them is in connection with Moses' flight from Egypt
(Exodus 2:15-21) Here in Midian Moses became the servant and afterwards
the son-in-law of Reuel or Jethro, the priest. After the Exodus, the
Midianites were friendly to the Israelites so long as they traversed
only their outlying pasture-ground on the west of the Arabah; but
when, having passed the southern end of Edom, they entered into the
land of Midian proper, they joined with Balak, the king of Moab, in a
conspiracy against them
(Numbers 22:4-7) Balaam, who had been sent for
to curse Israel, having utterly failed to do so, was dismissed by the
king of Moab; nevertheless he still tarried among the Midianites, and
induced them to enter into correspondence with the Israelites, so as
to bring them into association with them in the licentious orgies
connected with the worship of Baal-Peor. This crafty counsel
prevailed. The Israelites took part in the heathen festival, and so
brought upon themselves a curse indeed. Their apostasy brought upon
them a severe punishment. A plague broke out amongst them, and more
than twenty-four thousand of the people perished
(Numbers 25:9) But the
Midianites were not to be left unpunished. A terrible vengeance was
denounced against them. A thousand warriors from each tribe, under the
leadership of Phinehas, went forth against them. The Midianites were
utterly routed. Their cities were consumed by fire, five of their
kings were put to death, and the whole nation was destroyed
(Joshua 13:21,22) Balaam also perished by the sword, receiving the
"wages of his unrighteousness"
(Numbers 31:8; 2 Peter 2:15) The whole of the
country on the east of Jordan, now conquered by the Israelites
(See SIHON)
(See OG)
was divided between the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and
the half tribe of Manasseh. Some two hundred and fifty years after
this the Midianites had regained their ancient power, and in
confederation with the Amalekites and the "children of the east" they
made war against their old enemies the Israelites, whom for seven
years they oppressed and held in subjection. They were at length
assailed by Gideon in that ever-memorable battle in the great plain
of Esdraelon, and utterly destroyed
(Judges 6:1-7:25) Frequent
allusions are afterwards made to this great victory
(Psalms 83:10,12)
(Isaiah 9:4; 10:6) They now wholly pass away from the page of history
both sacred and profane.
