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Midian

Midian Region

RegionOld Testament
28.5000°N, 34.8500°E View on Map

About Midian

Midian was a region in northwestern Arabia, east of the Gulf of Aqaba. Moses fled here after killing an Egyptian and spent 40 years as a shepherd, marrying Zipporah. God appeared to him in the burning bush here, calling him to deliver Israel from Egypt.

MosesLinked to this placeMosesSpent 40 years in Midian as a shepherd; encountered God there

History of Midian

  1. Patriarchal~1900 BC

    Abraham's son Midian (through Keturah) becomes ancestor of the Midianites

    GEN 25:1-4

  2. Exodus~1486 BC

    Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian

    EXO 2:15

  3. Exodus~1486-1446 BC

    Moses lives in Midian for 40 years, marries Zipporah

    EXO 2:21, ACT 7:30

  4. Exodus~1446 BC

    God appears to Moses in the burning bush in Midian

    EXO 3:1-10

  5. Judges~1200 BC

    Midianites oppress Israel for seven years until Gideon defeats them

    JDG 6-8

Notable Characters in Midian

Moses
Moses

Spent 40 years in Midian as a shepherd; encountered God there

Jethro
Jethro

Priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law

Zipporah
Zipporah

Daughter of Jethro; married Moses in Midian

Gideon
Gideon

Defeated the Midianite oppressors with 300 men

Locations Related to Midian

Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai

Moses was shepherding near Mount Sinai while in Midian

View on Map
Egypt
Egypt

Moses fled from Egypt to Midian

View on Map

Biblical Significance of Midian

Midian was a region east of the Gulf of Aqaba, inhabited by descendants of Abraham through Keturah. For Moses, it became a place of preparation - 40 years of humble shepherding before leading Israel. Here he married, had children, and encountered God at the burning bush. Later, Midian became Israel's oppressor during the time of the judges, until Gideon's dramatic victory. The Midianites' story shows how peoples related to Abraham could either help (Jethro) or oppose (the oppressors) God's people.

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