Bible Dictionary

Kenite, The

People & Groups • Old Testament

The Kenite was a member of a nomadic people closely related to Midian and associated with Jethro. Kenites maintained friendly relations with Israel, and some later became associated with the Rechabites.

Definition

The Kenite was a member of a nomadic people associated with Midian, Jethro, and the desert regions south of Palestine and near Sinai. The Kenites maintained friendly relations with Israel and later included the Rechabite family.

Biblical Usage

Jethro is identified both as a Midianite and as a Kenite. The Kenites accompanied Israel during its wanderings, received friendly treatment because of their kindness, and later lived among or near Judah and the Amalekites. Heber was a Kenite who moved northward.

Historical Background

The Kenites inhabited rocky and desert country and are described as a branch or close relation of Midian. After Israel’s wanderings, many returned to the wilderness of Judah, while some settled elsewhere. Their notable later development was the Rechabite family.

Scripture References

Exodus 2:15 Exodus 2:16 Exodus 4:19 Judges 1:16 Judges 4:11 Numbers 24:21 Numbers 24:22 2 Chronicles 28:15

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Smith's Bible Dictionary

and Ken’ites (smiths), The, inhabited the rocky and desert region between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai, east of the Gulf of Akabah. They were a branch of the larger nation of Midian,—from the fact that Jethro, who in Exodus (see (Exodus 2:15,16; 4:19) etc.) is represented as dwelling in the land of Midian, and as priest or prince of that nation, is in (Judges 1:16; 4:11) as distinctly said to have been a Kenite. The important services rendered by the sheikh of the Kenites to Moses during a time of great pressure and difficulty were rewarded by the latter with a promise of firm friendship between the two peoples. They seem to have accompanied the Hebrews during their wanderings, (Numbers 24:21,22; Judges 1:16) comp. 2Chr 28:15 But, the wanderings of Israel over, they forsook the neighborhood of the towns and betook themselves to freer air,—to “the wilderness of Judah, which is to the south of Arad.” (Judges 1:16) But one of the sheikhs of the tribe, Heber by name, had wandered north instead of south. (Judges 4:11) The most remarkable development of this people is to be found in the sect or family of the Rechabites.

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