Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Midianitish" refers to anything related to the Midianites, a nomadic people descended from Midian, the son of Abraham and 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 in the Old Testament, often in contexts of conflict and interaction with the Israelites.
Historical BackgroundThe Midianites inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and the Sinai Peninsula, extending into the Arabian Desert. They were known for their trade and commerce, often traveling in caravans. The Midianites were also associated with the Ishmaelites, as seen in the account of Joseph being sold into slavery: "When those Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt" (
Genesis 37:28).
Religious PracticesThe Midianites practiced a form of paganism that included the worship of Baal-peor, as indicated in
Numbers 25:3: "So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them." This idolatry led to significant conflict with the Israelites, particularly during the time of Moses.
Conflict with IsraelOne of the most notable conflicts involving the Midianites occurred during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. The Midianites, along with the Moabites, sought to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam. When this plan failed, they resorted to seducing the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, leading to a divine plague: "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods" (
Numbers 25:1-2).
In response, God commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people'" (
Numbers 31:1-2). The ensuing battle resulted in the defeat of the Midianites and the execution of their kings and Balaam.
Gideon and the MidianitesThe Midianites reappear during the time of the Judges, oppressing Israel for seven years. They are described as numerous and destructive, likened to locusts: "Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples invaded the country" (
Judges 6:3). God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. With a small army of 300 men, Gideon defeated the Midianites through divine intervention, as recorded in
Judges 7.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceThe Midianites serve as a symbol of the challenges and temptations faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal faithfulness to Yahweh. Their interactions with Israel highlight themes of idolatry, divine judgment, and deliverance. The narrative of the Midianites underscores the importance of obedience to God and the dangers of syncretism with surrounding pagan cultures.
Notable MidianitesOne of the most prominent Midianites in the biblical narrative is Jethro, also known as Reuel, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law. Jethro provided wise counsel to Moses regarding the administration of justice among the Israelites (
Exodus 18:17-24). His positive relationship with Moses contrasts with the later adversarial interactions between the Midianites and Israel.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIDIANITISH, WOMANmid'-i-an-it-ish, (ha-midhyanith, "the Midianitess"): The designation given to the daughter of Zur, Cozbi, whom Zimri the son of Salu brought into the camp of Israel (Numbers 25:6-18). Both were of noble parentage (Numbers 25:14, 15). The majority of the people strongly resented this act of profanation (Numbers 25:6). A pestilence was raging in the camp, and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, in an outburst of zeal pursued the two delinquents and slew them by a spear-thrust through their bodies (Numbers 25:8). He obtained as a reward the immediate staying of the plague and the promise of perpetual priesthood to his family (Numbers 25:8, 13).
John A. Lees
Strong's Hebrew
2078. Zebach -- a Midianite king... Zebah. The same as zebach; sacrifice; Zebach, a
Midianitish prince -- Zebah. see
HEBREW zebach. 2077, 2078. Zebach. 2079 . Strong's Numbers.
2062. Zeeb -- "wolf," a leader in Midian
... Zeeb (6). Zeeb. The same as z'eb; Zeeb, aMidianitish prince -- Zeeb. see
HEBREW z'eb. 2061, 2062. Zeeb. 2063 . Strong's Numbers.
189. Evi -- one of five chiefs of Midian
... 2). Evi. Probably from 'avah; desirous; Evi, aMidianitish chief -- Evi. see
HEBREW 'avah. 188, 189. Evi. 190 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The Nations of the South-East
... in peace in its valleys, and it is probable that it was not till Hadad, the King
of Edom, "smote Midian in the plain of Moab" thatMidianitish supremacy came...
The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... While Israel were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, thatMidianitish priest,
or prince, visited Moses, bringing with him, Zipporah, the wife of Moses and...
Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... His brethren agreed to his words, and drew him out of the cistern, and sold him
to theMidianitish merchants passing forth by to Ishmaelites for thirty pieces...
Pergamos
... Through "the counsel of Balaam" (Numbers 31:16, etc.) Israel was entrapped and led
into the worst form ofMidianitish idolatry, when "Israel joined himself...
Ep. Lxxvii. I Hear that You are Indignant at the Outrages which...
... Phineas was called Zelotes because he ran through theMidianitish woman with the
man who was committing fornication with her, [4752] and because he took away...
Of the Birth of John, and of his Alleged Identity with Elijah. Of...
... on account of the covenant of peace granted to him because he was jealous with a
divine jealousy, and in a passion of anger pierced theMidianitish woman and...
The Second Part.
... Oh that the Lord would put into the hearts both of the governours & parties to these
quarrells, once to make an end of theseMidianitish warrs; that wee might...
Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... Even Zimri, the head of the tribe of Simeon accompanied with Cozbi, aMidianitish
women, who was the daughter of Sur, a man of authority in that country; and...
1 Cor. Ix. 24
... or because the plague was not so great at that time, as in the matter of Balaam,
when they joined themselves to Baalpeor, theMidianitish women appearing in...
Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... See to it that Phinehas does not thrust you through with his spear while
you are committing fornication with theMidianitish woman....
Thesaurus
Midianitish (4 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIDIANITISH, WOMAN. mid
... John A. Lees.
Multi-Version Concordance
Midianitish (4 Occurrences). Genesis
...Mid'ianite (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his
brethren aMidianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all...
Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... (1.) A son of Salu, slain by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, because of his wickedness
in bringing aMidianitish woman into his tent (Numbers 25:6-15)....
Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... a view of the matter was obnoxious to God. J. Oscar Boyd.MIDIANITISH, WOMAN.
mid'-i-an-it-ish, (ha-midhyanith, "the Midianitess"): The...
Tribal (25 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Numbers 25:15 And the name of theMidianitish woman that was slain was
Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was tribal head of a father's house in Midian....
Midian's (1 Occurrence)
Mid'ian (47 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 And the name of theMidianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the
daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian....
Midianitess (3 Occurrences)
Silver-pieces (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:28 AndMidianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted
up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver...
Israelite (83 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain
with theMidianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief...
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