Interesting Facts

• Medan was one of the six sons born to Abraham through Keturah.
• He was born during the period of 2090-2099 AM.
• Medan had five sons: Amida, Joab, Gochi, Elisha, and Nothach.
• Along with his brothers, Medan received gifts from Abraham and was sent away eastward from Isaac while Abraham was still alive.
• The descendants of Medan, along with his brothers and the sons of Ishmael, eventually mingled and were called Arabs and Ishmaelites.
• The Medanim, descendants of Medan, were involved in the purchase and subsequent sale of Joseph.
• The Medanim purchased Joseph for twenty shekels from the Ishmaelites.
• The Medanim recognized that Joseph was a very comely youth.
• The Medanim sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard.
• The Medanim sought to sell Joseph to Potiphar for a price they desired, recognizing Potiphar’s need for a good servant.

Genealogy

• Medan was the son of Abraham.
• His mother was Keturah, described as being from the land of Canaan or as a Canaanitish woman whom she bore unto Abraham the Hebrew.
• His brothers were Zimran, Jokshan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
• Medan was the father of Amida, Joab, Gochi, Elisha, and Nothach.
• The Medanim were the sons of Medan the son of Abraham.

Historical Context

Medan’s birth occurred in Abraham’s later years, after Abraham married Keturah in the 43rd Jubilee year, 2089 AM. This was a period of expansion for Abraham’s family beyond the lineage of Isaac, the promised heir. The cultural practice of the patriarch providing gifts and sending away sons from secondary wives to establish their own territories is evident in Abraham’s treatment of Medan and his brothers. Abraham’s instructions to his children and grandchildren emphasized maintaining a separation from the Canaanites. The sending away of Medan and his brothers eastward, along with Ishmael, likely reflects Abraham’s desire to keep the line of Isaac distinct in the land of Canaan. The Medanim’s involvement with Joseph occurs much later, during the time of Jacob’s descendants, indicating the continued presence and activity of Medan’s lineage in the region, potentially engaging in trade and commerce as evidenced by their purchase and sale of Joseph. The broader context includes the early movements and interactions of the descendants of Abraham in the ancient Near East.

Narrative

Medan’s personal narrative within the provided sources is primarily defined by his position as one of Abraham’s sons through Keturah. His birth signifies the growth of Abraham’s extended family. A significant event in Medan’s narrative is receiving gifts from Abraham and being sent eastward with his brothers, away from Isaac. This act indicates the establishment of separate lineages and territories, distinguishing them from Isaac, who was the principal heir. The eventual mingling of Medan’s descendants with those of his brothers and Ishmael, leading to them being called Arabs and Ishmaelites, marks the long-term outcome of this separation.

The Medanim enter the narrative much later through their encounter with the Ishmaelite merchants who had purchased Joseph from his brothers. The Medanim, described as four men who had gone forth from the land of Egypt, purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels. Recognizing Joseph’s comely appearance, they then proceeded to Egypt with him, intending to sell him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, who they had heard was seeking a good servant. Their actions are presented as a business transaction, motivated by the potential for profit. The Medanim serve as intermediaries in Joseph’s journey to becoming Potiphar’s overseer, highlighting the interconnectedness of different groups in the region and the role of commerce in the unfolding narrative of Joseph.