Ken’ite, The. The Ken’ite and Ken’ites. (smiths). Inhabited the rocky and desert region between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai, east of the Gulf of Akabah. They were a branch of the larger nation of Midian, -- from the fact that Jethro, who in Exodus, (see Exo 2:15-16; Exo 4:19;, etc.), is represented as dwelling in the land of Midian, and as priest or prince of that nation, is in Jdg 1:16; Jdg 4:11 as distinctly said to have been a Kenite.
The important services rendered by the sheikh of the Kenites to Moses during a time of great pressure and difficulty were rewarded by the latter with a promise of firm friendship between the two peoples. They seem to have accompanied the Hebrews during their wanderings, Num 24:21-22; Jdg 1:16, compare 2Ch 28:15, but, the wanderings of Israel over, they forsook the neighborhood of the towns and betook themselves to freer air, -- to "the wilderness of Judah, which is to the south of Arad." Jdg 1:16. But one of the sheikhs of the tribe, Heber by name, had wandered north instead of south. Jdg 4:11. The most remarkable development of this people is to be found in the sect or family of the Rechabites.