Boy Old Testament Rare
Midian
judgment; covering; habit
מִדְיָן mid.yan
Midian (Hebrew: מִדְיָן, mid.yan) means “judgment; covering; habit”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 4 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2018 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Appears with Abida in 1 Chronicles 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Midian
son of Abraham; father of Abida; father of Eldaah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 4 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2018 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2018 | 6 | Steady |
| All-time total | 11 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6 in 2018 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 25:2 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 1:33 |
| Cross-references | 47 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Isaac attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Ishbak attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Ishmael attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Mishma attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Ephah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Epher attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Shuah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
- Medan attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abraham.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.2;
son of: Abraham (H0085) and Keturah (H6989);
half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458) and Isaac (H3327);
brother of: Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744);
father of: Ephah (H5891), Epher (H6081), Hanoch (H2585I), Abida (H0028) and Eldaah (H0420)
§ Midian or Midianite = "strife"
1) son of Abraham by Keturah and progenitor of the tribe of Midianites or Arabians
2) the tribe descended from Midian
3) the territory of the tribe descended from Midian; located principally in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula; land to which Moses went when he fled from Pharaoh
Midian, a son of Abraham and Keturah, was the ancestor of the Midianite people.
The biblical story
Midian was a son of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah (Gen.25.2; 1Ch.1.32). He was born after the death of Sarah and is listed among Abraham's sons by Keturah, along with Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Ishbak, and Shuah. Midian had five sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah (Gen.25.4; 1Ch.1.33). These sons became the ancestors of the Midianite tribes, who are mentioned throughout the Old Testament. The Midianites lived in the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula and were known for their nomadic lifestyle and involvement in trade. They played a significant role in the stories of Joseph (Gen.37.28,36) and Moses (Exo.2.15-3.1). Later, the Midianites oppressed Israel during the time of the judges, until Gideon defeated them (Jdg.6-8). The descendants of Midian, the Midianites, were a prominent people group in the ancient Near East, and their interactions with the Israelites shaped various events in biblical history.
Key verses
Midian appears in 4 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
Genesis 25:2 -
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Genesis 25:4 -
Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
1 Chronicles 1:32 -
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.
1 Chronicles 1:33
Show all 4 references
Genesis (2)
- Genesis 25:2
- Genesis 25:4
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 1:32
- 1 Chronicles 1:33