What was Medes?
The Medes were an ancient people group descended from Japheth, the son of Noah, and are often mentioned in connection with the rise and fall of empires in the Old Testament. In the Bible, the Medes are portrayed as a significant geopolitical force, especially in relation to the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. The Hebrew name for the Medes is Madai (מָדַי), referring to both the people and the region they inhabited. In Greek, they are called Μῆδοι (Mēdoi).
The Medes are first mentioned in Genesis 10:2 as descendants of Japheth through his son Madai. Their presence becomes especially prominent during the prophetic and historical narratives involving the exile and judgment of Israel and Judah. In 2 Kings 17:6 and 18:11, we learn that the Assyrians relocated the people of Israel to various places, including the cities of the Medes, making them a key part of the biblical exile narrative.
Biblical References
- Genesis 10:2 – “The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.”
- 2 Kings 17:6 – “…and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.”
- 2 Kings 18:11 – “The king of Assyria deported Israel to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in towns of the Medes.”
- Isaiah 13:17 – “See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold.”
- Daniel 5:31 – “And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.”
- Acts 2:9 – “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia…”
Historical and Geographical Context
The Medes settled in the mountainous regions of northwest Iran, in a territory known historically as Media. They rose in prominence in the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., eventually forming an alliance with the Babylonians to overthrow the Assyrian Empire. The Medo-Babylonian coalition conquered Nineveh in 612 B.C., marking the collapse of Assyria.
The Medes formed their own empire, which later merged with the Persians under the rule of Cyrus the Great, a pivotal figure in the Bible who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). In this way, the Medes played an indirect yet significant role in the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile.
Role in 2 Kings 18
In 2 Kings 18:11, the Medes are mentioned as one of the locations to which the northern kingdom of Israel was exiled by the Assyrians. After the fall of Samaria, the king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Halah, Gozan, and the cities of the Medes. This demonstrates the strategic importance of Media in the Assyrian empire’s deportation policy. These cities likely served as remote areas where exiled populations could be relocated and assimilated, thereby weakening their national identity and resistance.
The reference to the Medes in this context highlights the expansive reach of the Assyrian Empire and the tragic consequences of Israel‘s persistent idolatry and covenant-breaking.
What This Means for Today’s Christians
For Christians today, the mention of the Medes in connection with Israel’s exile serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of God’s judgment. God had warned Israel through the prophets that if they turned away from Him and followed other gods, He would scatter them among the nations. The use of foreign nations—like the Assyrians and the Medes—as instruments of judgment reflects God’s sovereignty over history and nations.
Yet the Medes, while once a tool of exile, also became part of the larger story of redemption. Through their eventual partnership with the Persians, they contributed to the fall of Babylon and the rise of Cyrus, who would issue a decree allowing God’s people to return to their land and rebuild the temple. This shift from judgment to restoration points to the overarching theme of hope and redemption even after discipline.
How the Medes Point to Jesus and the Gospel
Though not directly associated with messianic prophecies, the Medes’ role in history indirectly contributes to the unfolding of redemptive history. The rise and fall of empires—including the Medes—set the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
In Acts 2:9, during the Day of Pentecost, Medes were among the people who heard the gospel in their own language, signifying that the good news of Jesus was reaching even those far-off nations once connected with exile and dispersion. This is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity of the gospel—that those who were once far from God are now invited to draw near through Christ.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
The Medes, like other great powers in Scripture, acted according to their interests, yet unknowingly fulfilled God’s purposes (Isaiah 10:5-7).
2. Judgment and Mercy
The exile to Media was judgment, but the eventual restoration through Persia was mercy. God disciplines His people, but He also restores.
3. The Global Reach of the Gospel
From Genesis to Acts, the movement of peoples—including the Medes—shows that God is working globally, not just nationally. The mention of the Medes at Pentecost reinforces this.
4. The Faithfulness of God’s Promises
Despite Israel’s exile, God preserved a remnant. The Medes’ role in both judgment and restoration is a testimony to God’s covenant faithfulness.
Reflection Questions
- What does the involvement of the Medes in Israel’s exile teach us about God’s use of foreign nations for His purposes?
- How can the history of judgment and restoration in Israel encourage us in times of spiritual discipline?
- In what ways does the gospel reaching the Medes at Pentecost illustrate the wideness of God‘s mercy?
- What lessons can we learn from how God worked through the rise and fall of empires like Media?
- Are there ways in which we, like ancient Israel, need to return to the Lord and be reminded of His covenant faithfulness?
The Medes, though a distant and ancient people, were woven into the grand narrative of Scripture—reminding us that all history is under God‘s rule, and that He uses nations, kings, and even exile to accomplish His ultimate purpose: the glory of Christ and the redemption of His people.