Easton Illustrated Bible Dictionary 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, havin