Midianites

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group mentioned in ancient texts known for their nomadic lifestyle across the region of Midian
2. An ancient tribal confederation that interacted with the Israelites and is often referenced in biblical narratives
3. A people historically identified with trade and pastoralism, often depicted as adversaries of the Israelites in historical accounts

Etymology: The Midianites are a people of the Hebrew Bible, the group the word names, and their name rests on a place called Midian, the land where they lived. The word is a plural: "Midianite" is formed from "Midian" plus the suffix "-ite," which English took from Latin "-ītes" and Greek "-ītēs," a suffix used to mark belonging to a people, tribe, or place. So a Midianite is simply someone "of Midian," in the same way a Moabite is of Moab. The suffix has a long road into English. Its Greek form "-ītēs" passed into Latin as "-ītes," and from there into French as "-ite," before arriving in English as "-ite." That same ending now turns up across English in words for people, minerals, and fossils, which is why a word like "Midianite" sounds more like a scientific label than a tribal name. The Hebrew original, "Midyan," belongs to a much older layer of the story than the English word does.