The Midianites were a semi nomadic proto-Arabian tribe who were shepherds and produced distinct decorated pottery known as Qurayyah painted ware, they were also experts in metallurgy and involved in the spice trade. The Midianites lived in an area known as Midian which roughly corresponds to what is now northwest Saudi Arabia. 

Midianite Kenites and the introduction of Yahwism to Israel

The Tanakh mentions another tribe related to the Midianite called Kenites. Jethro, Moses’ father in law was a Midianite, but the Tanakh also describes him as a Kenite. According to a recent book by Prof Robert D Miller II, the term “Kenite" was likely another name for the semi nomadic Midianites who were experts in metallurgy as “Kenite” means smith. Professor Miller explained in his book that  smiths were often seen as ritual specialists in the ancient world, for example they would perform circumcisions and sacrifices for other tribes. They were influential and seen by others as powerful and even magical so they were both respected and feared. The Midianite Kenites being smiths were in an ideal position to influence the spiritual beliefs of others and in Millers view this is the most likely explanation of how Yahwism spread to the Israelites. 

The Midianites are also described in the Torah as helping the Israelites in their years of wandering in the desert after they fled from Egypt. Archaeologists and most scholars say there is no evidence of a Exodus from Egypt as described in the Bible and definitely no evidence of 600,000 Israelites wandering in the area now known as as the Sinai peninsula. The Israelites who left Egypt were likely not as large as the Torah says and may have taken a different route and dwelt in Midian itself rather than the Sinai peninsula as was suggested by the late Prof Frank Moore Cross. 

The cause of the introduction of Yahwism to Israel was likely a combination of some Israelites who were refugees from Egypt dwelling in Midian, intermarriage between Midianites and Israelites and/or the Midianites role as smiths and traders. As a Yahwist, I also see the hand of YHWH in the introduction and spread of Yahwism from Midian to Israel and its eventual spread around the world. 

YHWH Origin of a Desert God, Robert D Miller II

YHWH: The Original Arabic Meaning of The Name, Prof Israel Knohl

A land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper, Metallurgy, pottery and the Midianite Kenite Hypothesis, Jacob E Dunn. 

The rise of Yahwism and the role of marginalised groups, Marlene Mondriaan.