Midian and Moses’ Father-in-Law

Jethro advising Moses / Jan Gerritsz van Bronckhorst / 1659

 

Midian and Moses’ Father-in-Law

 

Q: Moses’ father-in-law is described as the priest of Midian. Where was Midian located, and what kind of people were the Midianites? Also, were the Midianites considered foreigners from the perspective of Israel?

 

A: Moses’ father-in-law is known as the priest of Midian, and his name is mentioned in the Bible as Jethro (Hebrew: יִתְרוֹ) or Reuel (Hebrew: רְעוּאֵל).

 

1. The Midianites and Their Geographic Location

The Midianites (Hebrew: מִדְיָן) were a people group descended from Abraham through his wife Keturah.

According to Genesis 25:1-2, after Sarah’s death, Abraham remarried Keturah, and among the sons she bore him, one was named Midian.

Since Midian was not from Isaac’s lineage, which led to the nation of Israel, the Midianites were not part of God’s covenant people and were considered a foreign nation from an Israelite perspective.

The Midianites were nomadic and inhabited the region of northwestern Arabia, covering what is now Jordan and parts of Saudi Arabia. Their lifestyle was primarily pastoral, meaning they moved frequently with their herds. They were known for trading, shepherding, and occasional raiding activities, much like other nomadic tribes of the ancient Near East.

The Midianites are frequently mentioned in biblical history because of their proximity and interactions with Israel, both as allies and enemies at different times.

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2. The Relationship Between the Midianites and Israel

The Midianites and Israelites had a complicated and shifting relationship throughout biblical history.

• Moses and Jethro: When Moses fled Egypt, he found refuge in Midian, where he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel). This established a familial bond between Moses and the Midianites.
• Jethro’s Support for Israel: During the Exodus, Jethro visited Moses in the wilderness and offered advice on organizing Israel’s judicial system (Exodus 18). This shows an instance of cooperation and goodwill between the two peoples.
• Midianite Opposition: However, later in Numbers 22-25, the Midianites conspired with the Moabites against Israel. Midianite women, led by Balaam’s influence, enticed Israelite men into idolatry, worshiping Baal-Peor. This led to divine judgment and a plague that killed many Israelites.
• War Against Midian: Due to this betrayal, in Numbers 31, God commanded Moses to lead a military campaign against the Midianites, punishing them for their role in leading Israel astray.

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3. Were the Midianites Considered Foreigners?

From an ethnic perspective, the Midianites were descendants of Abraham, but because they were not part of Isaac and Jacob’s lineage, they were not considered Israelites.

From a religious standpoint, the Midianites did not adhere to Yahweh’s covenant. Instead, they practiced various forms of idolatry. However, some individual Midianites, like Jethro, acknowledged Israel’s God.

Exodus 18:10-12 records that Jethro praised Yahweh and even offered sacrifices, recognizing Him as greater than all other gods. This suggests that, at least on some level, he was a God-fearing man.

Despite Jethro’s positive relationship with Israel, the Midianite nation as a whole was considered foreign, and later, their opposition to Israel solidified their status as adversaries.

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4. Conclusion

• The Midianites were descendants of Abraham, but since they were not from Isaac’s lineage, they were classified as foreigners from an Israelite perspective.
• Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, was an exception—he acknowledged Yahweh and supported Moses.
• The Midianites started as neutral or friendly toward Israel but later became adversaries, leading to conflict and their eventual downfall.
• Geographically, they were a nomadic people living in parts of modern Jordan and Saudi Arabia, often engaged in trade and pastoralism.

 

 

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Moses’ Father-in-Law and His Different Names

Q: Why does Moses’ father-in-law appear under different names in the Bible?

 

A: Moses’ father-in-law is called by multiple names in the Bible, most commonly Jethro and Reuel. These variations arise due to biblical naming customs, cultural factors, and possibly different roles or titles associated with him.

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1. The Different Names of Moses’ Father-in-Law

NameHebrewBible ReferenceMeaning & Explanation

Jethro	יִתְרוֹ	Exodus 3:1, 4:18, 18:1	The most widely used name, meaning "Excellence" or "Preeminence."
Reuel	רְעוּאֵל	Exodus 2:18	Means "Friend of God." Possibly a family name or tribal title.
Hobab	חוֹבָב	Numbers 10:29, Judges 4:11	Means "Beloved." May refer to Jethro’s son or, in some interpretations, another name for Jethro himself.
Kenite	קֵינִי	Judges 1:16, 4:11	A reference to his clan affiliation with the Kenites, a subgroup associated with Midian.

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2. Why Does Jethro Have Multiple Names?

1. Personal Name vs. Family or Clan Name
   • "Reuel" may have been his clan name or patriarchal title, while "Jethro" was his personal name.
   • Biblical figures often had both a given name and a name signifying their lineage.
2. Title vs. Personal Name
   • "Jethro" might have been a title rather than an individual name.
   • Similar to how Pharaoh was a title for Egyptian rulers, Jethro may have been a title for Midianite priests.
3. Different Contexts and Emphasis
   • The name Reuel appears in Exodus 2:18 when Moses first meets his father-in-law, possibly emphasizing his role as a patriarch.
   • Later, the name Jethro is more common when describing him as a priest of Midian.
4. The Hobab Confusion
   • Numbers 10:29 calls Hobab "son of Reuel", which suggests Hobab was Jethro’s son, not another name for Jethro himself.
   • However, Judges 4:11 refers to Hobab as if he were Moses’ father-in-law, leading to debate among scholars.

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3. Conclusion

• Jethro and Reuel were likely the same person, with Reuel as his family name and Jethro as his personal or priestly title.
• Hobab was probably Jethro’s son (Moses’ brother-in-law), though some believe it was another name for Jethro.
• The Kenite reference suggests a tribal identity within Midian.
• Multiple names for the same person were common in biblical times, reflecting different roles and cultural influences.