The Midianites are mentioned briefly in the Book of Mormon, and although their activities are not chronicled in detail within the text, they are referenced in the context of a prophecy. The Book of 2 Nephi relates the words of Isaiah, wherein the Midianites’ defeat at the rock of Oreb is used metaphorically to prophesy the scourging of the Assyrians by the Lord of Hosts (2 Nephi 20:26). This association with the rock of Oreb pertains to an Old Testament event where the Midianites suffered a significant defeat, which, within the Book of Mormon, illustrates the Lord’s power to bring about deliverance for His people in a manner akin to past manifestations of divine intervention.
This singular mention of the Midianites in the Book of Mormon does not provide further detail regarding their civilization, culture, or interactions with other peoples within the text. Instead, the Midianites are used symbolically to emphasize the themes of divine justice and the eventual downfall of the wicked, specifically the Assyrians in this context, as brought about by the hand of God. It underscores the notion prevalent in the Book of Mormon narrative that the Lord is capable of delivering His people from oppression, much as He did in the biblical account against the Midianites.