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.

History of Midian

Patriarchal~1900 BC

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

GEN 25:1-4

Exodus~1486 BC

Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian

EXO 2:15

Exodus~1486-1446 BC

Moses lives in Midian for 40 years, marries Zipporah

EXO 2:21, ACT 7:30

Exodus~1446 BC

God appears to Moses in the burning bush in Midian

EXO 3:1-10

Judges~1200 BC

Midianites oppress Israel for seven years until Gideon defeats them

JDG 6-8

Notable Characters in Midian

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

JethroPriest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law

ZipporahDaughter of Jethro; married Moses in Midian

GideonDefeated the Midianite oppressors with 300 men

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.