Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Midian

American  
[mid-ee-uhn] / ˈmɪd i ən /

noun

  1. (in the Bible) a son of Abraham and Keturah.


Midian British  
/ ˈmɪdɪən /

noun

  1. a son of Abraham (Genesis 25:1–2)

  2. a nomadic nation claiming descent from him

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • Midianite noun
  • Midianitish adjective

Etymology

Origin of Midian

Ultimately from Hebrew Midyān, of uncertain origin and meaning

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ramses banishes Moses from the kingdom, and he eventually finds shelter and a bride in the village of Midian.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2014

The gifts they bore--gold, frankincense and myrrh--hint at Arabia, since unrelated Bible stories describe camel trains of similar tribute emanating from Sheba and Midian, both on that peninsula.

From Time Magazine Archive

Other scenes are familiar to the ear but startling to the eye: particularly the shimmering, flame-red "burning bushes" on the desert of Midian.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pursued by Pharaoh, Moses flees to the land of Midian.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Midian is talking about Brussels sprouts, how her mother used to prepare them.

From Voices from the Past by Bartlett, Paul Alexander