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Midian

YHWH: The Kenite God of Metallurgy

The Bible describes YHWH as glowing (kabod), and YHWH’s heat as melting mountains, imagery connected with volcano gods, the divine patrons of metalworkers such as the Kenites, who lived in the Negev region. Indeed, the description of Israel’s encounter with YHWH at Sinai portrays a volcanic eruption, with smoke “as if from a furnace” (Exodus 19:18).

Dr.

Nissim Amzallag

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Moses the Midianite

Israel’s cries for help in Egypt reach all the way to God, upon “the Mountain of God” in Midian. In response, God sends Moses, a local shepherd, to free them.

Dr. Rabbi

Tzemah Yoreh

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Moses’ Kushite Wife Was Zipporah the Midianite

Moses is married to a Kushite woman (Numbers 12:1). While the term Kushite is generally understood as meaning black African, several places in the Bible refer to other locations as Kush, including Midian, the home of Moses’ wife Zipporah.

Prof.

David Goldenberg

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The War Against Midian: A Study for How the Priestly Torah Was Compiled

In revenge for the Midianite seduction, Phinehas takes the sacred utensils from the Tabernacle and leads the war against Midian. Many details in this story contradict other Priestly texts, giving us a glimpse into how the Priestly Torah was compiled.

Dr.

Ariel Kopilovitz

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Ishmael, King of the Arabs

Throughout the Bible, Ishmaelite is a collective term for nomads living in the wilderness, east of Canaan. Why is their eponymous ancestor Ishmael, Abraham’s exiled son, presented as living in the wilderness region near Egypt, west of Canaan? The answer can be found in the political realities of Persian period Yehud.

Prof.

Yairah Amit

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YHWH: The Original Arabic Meaning of the Name

God reveals his name to Moses as “I am,” from the Hebrew root ה.ו.י, “being.” The name YHWH, however, originates in Midian, and derives from the Arabic term for “love, desire, or passion.”

Prof.

Israel Knohl

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Hovav the Midianite: Why Was the End of the Story Cut?

The Midianite Origin of YHWH and Aniconism

Prof.

Israel Knohl

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Moses’ Father-in-Law: Kenite or Midianite?

In the ancient world, genealogy was not about family relations but about political alliances.

Dr. Rabbi

Zev Farber

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