Midian, son of Abraham

According to the Hebrew Bible, Midian (Hebrew: מִדְיָן Miḏyān) is the fourth son of Abraham and Keturah,[1] the woman Abraham married after Sarah's death. His brothers are Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Ishbak and Shuah. His sons are Ephah, Epher, Enoch, Abida, and Eldaah.

Josephus records that "Abraham contrived to settle them in colonies; and they took possession of Troglodytis and the country of Arabia the Happy, as far as it reaches to the Red Sea."[2]

Midian is generally considered ancestral to the Midianite people[3] found in later portions of the Hebrew scriptures.

In Islam

Some Muslim genealogists claim he was the son of Lot's daughter.[4] Some Islamic scholars also place Midian as the father of Issachar, and Issachar as the father of Shu'ayb.

References

  1. ^ 1 Chronicles 1.32
  2. ^ Josephus, Flavius, Antiquities, 1.15.1
  3. ^ Genesis 25:1-2.
  4. ^ Noegel, Scott (2002). Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810866102.