MEDAN (mē'dăn, Heb. medhān, strife). A son of Abraham by Keturah (Gen.25.2; 1Chr.1.32). He as a brother of Midian and by some writers mistaken for him.


MEDAN mē’ dăn (מְדָ֖ן, strife). The third son of Abraham and Keturah and the founder of an Arabian tribe (Gen 25:2; 1 Chron 1:32). Since the name is mentioned just before Midian, it may be a doublet for it. It is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible or in any extra-Biblical document, and therefore remains unidentified.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

One of the sons of Abraham by Keturah (Ge 25:2; 1Ch 1:32). The tribe and its place remain unidentified, and the conjecture that the name may be connected with the Midianites is unlikely from the fact that in the list of the sons of Abraham and Keturah Midian is mentioned alongside of Medan.