25:17 Vex the Midianites. The Midianites–even though related to the Israelites as descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:2), and even though Moses’ father-in-law was a priest of Midian (Exodus 3:1)–had become inveterate enemies of Israel by this time, joining up with the Moabites to oppose the coming of Israel into their lands (Numbers 22:3,4).