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Selected Verse: Numbers 10:29 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Nu 10:29	Strong Concordance	And Moses [04872] said [0559] unto Hobab [02246], the son [01121] of Raguel [07467] the Midianite [04084], Moses [04872]' father in law [02859], We are journeying [05265] unto the place [04725] of which the LORD [03068] said [0559], I will give [05414] it you: come [03212] thou with us, and we will do thee good [02895]: for the LORD [03068] hath spoken [01696] good [02896] concerning Israel [03478].
	King James	And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite--called also Reuel (the same as Jethro [Exo 2:18, Margin]). Hobab, the son of this Midianite chief and brother-in-law to Moses, seems to have sojourned among the Israelites during the whole period of their encampment at Sinai and now on their removal proposed returning to his own abode. Moses urged him to remain, both for his own benefit from a religious point of view, and for the useful services his nomad habits could enable him to render.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite--called also Reuel (the same as Jethro [Exo 2:18, Margin]). Hobab, the son of this Midianite chief and brother-in-law to Moses, seems to have sojourned among the Israelites during the whole period of their encampment at Sinai and now on their removal proposed returning to his own abode. Moses urged him to remain, both for his own benefit from a religious point of view, and for the useful services his nomad habits could enable him to render.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Hobab, the son of Raguel - Or Reuel Exo 2:18. Reuel was probably not identical with Jethro: and Hobab was the brother-in-law, not the father-in-law, of Moses; the Hebrew word translated in the King James Version "father-in-law," signifying simply any relation by marriage (Exo 3:1 note). Hobab Jdg 1:16; Jdg 4:11 eventually accompanied the Israelites and obtained a settlement with them in the land of Canaan. Hobab and Jethro may have been brethren and sons of Reuel.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
Raguel Called Reuel, (Exo 2:18).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The conversation in which Moses persuaded Hobab the Midianite, the son of Reguel (see at Exo 2:16), and his brother-in-law, to go with the Israelites, and being well acquainted with the desert to act as their leader, preceded the departure in order of time; but it is placed between the setting out and the march itself, as being subordinate to the main events. When and why Hobab came into the camp of the Israelites-whether he came with his father Reguel (or Jethro) when Israel first arrived at Horeb, and so remained behind when Jethro left (Exo 18:27), or whether he did not come till afterwards-was left uncertain, because it was a matter of no consequence in relation to what is narrated here. (Note: The grounds upon which Knobel affirms that the "Elohist" is not the author of the account in Num 10:29-36, and pronounces it a Jehovistic interpolation, are perfectly futile. The assertion that the Elohist had already given a full description of the departure in vv. 11-28, rests upon an oversight of the peculiarities of the Semitic historians. The expression "they set forward" in Num 10:28 is an anticipatory remark, as Knobel himself admits in other places (e.g., Gen 7:12; Gen 8:3; Exo 7:6; Exo 12:50; Exo 16:34). The other argument, that Moses' brother-in-law is not mentioned anywhere else, involves a petitio principii, and is just as powerless a proof, as such peculiarities of style as "mount of the Lord," "ark of the covenant of the Lord," היטיב to do good (Num 10:29), and others of a similar kind, of which the critics have not even attempted to prove that they are at variance with the style of the Elohist, to say nothing of their having actually done so.) The request addressed to Hobab, that he would go with them to the place which Jehovah had promised to give them, i.e., to Canaan, was supported by the promise that he would do good to them (Hobab and his company), as Jehovah had spoken good concerning Israel, i.e., had promised it prosperity in Canaan. And when Hobab declined the request, and said that he should return into his own land, i.e., to Midian at the south-east of Sinai (see at Exo 2:15 and Exo 3:1), and to his kindred, Moses repeated the request, "Leave us not, forasmuch as thou knowest our encamping in the desert," i.e., knowest where we can pitch our tents; "therefore be to us as eyes," i.e., be our leader and guide, - and promised at the same time to do him the good that Jehovah would do to them. Although Jehovah led the march of the Israelites in the pillar of cloud, not only giving the sign for them to break up and to encamp, but showing generally the direction they were to take; yet Hobab, who was well acquainted with the desert, would be able to render very important service to the Israelites, if he only pointed out, in those places where the sign to encamp was given by the cloud, the springs, oases, and plots of pasture which are often buried quite out of sight in the mountains and valleys that overspread the desert. What Hobab ultimately decided to do, we are not told; but "as no further refusal is mentioned, and the departure of Israel is related immediately afterwards, he probably consented" (Knobel). This is raised to a certainty by the fact that, at the commencement of the period of the Judges, the sons of the brother-in-law of Moses went into the desert of Judah to the south of Arad along with the sons of Judah (Jdg 1:16), and therefore had entered Canaan with the Israelites, and that they were still living in that neighbourhood in the time of Saul (Sa1 15:6; Sa1 27:10; Sa1 30:29).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The conversation in which Moses persuaded Hobab the Midianite, the son of Reguel (see at Exo 2:16), and his brother-in-law, to go with the Israelites, and being well acquainted with the desert to act as their leader, preceded the departure in order of time; but it is placed between the setting out and the march itself, as being subordinate to the main events. When and why Hobab came into the camp of the Israelites-whether he came with his father Reguel (or Jethro) when Israel first arrived at Horeb, and so remained behind when Jethro left (Exo 18:27), or whether he did not come till afterwards-was left uncertain, because it was a matter of no consequence in relation to what is narrated here.

(Note: The grounds upon which Knobel affirms that the "Elohist" is not the author of the account in Num 10:29-36, and pronounces it a Jehovistic interpolation, are perfectly futile. The assertion that the Elohist had already given a full description of the departure in vv. 11-28, rests upon an oversight of the peculiarities of the Semitic historians. The expression "they set forward" in Num 10:28 is an anticipatory remark, as Knobel himself admits in other places (e.g., Gen 7:12; Gen 8:3; Exo 7:6; Exo 12:50; Exo 16:34). The other argument, that Moses' brother-in-law is not mentioned anywhere else, involves a petitio principii, and is just as powerless a proof, as such peculiarities of style as "mount of the Lord," "ark of the covenant of the Lord," היטיב to do good (Num 10:29), and others of a similar kind, of which the critics have not even attempted to prove that they are at variance with the style of the Elohist, to say nothing of their having actually done so.)

The request addressed to Hobab, that he would go with them to the place which Jehovah had promised to give them, i.e., to Canaan, was supported by the promise that he would do good to them (Hobab and his company), as Jehovah had spoken good concerning Israel, i.e., had promised it prosperity in Canaan. And when Hobab declined the request, and said that he should return into his own land, i.e., to Midian at the south-east of Sinai (see at Exo 2:15 and Exo 3:1), and to his kindred, Moses repeated the request, "Leave us not, forasmuch as thou knowest our encamping in the desert," i.e., knowest where we can pitch our tents; "therefore be to us as eyes," i.e., be our leader and guide, - and promised at the same time to do him the good that Jehovah would do to them. Although Jehovah led the march of the Israelites in the pillar of cloud, not only giving the sign for them to break up and to encamp, but showing generally the direction they were to take; yet Hobab, who was well acquainted with the desert, would be able to render very important service to the Israelites, if he only pointed out, in those places where the sign to encamp was given by the cloud, the springs, oases, and plots of pasture which are often buried quite out of sight in the mountains and valleys that overspread the desert. What Hobab ultimately decided to do, we are not told; but "as no further refusal is mentioned, and the departure of Israel is related immediately afterwards, he probably consented" (Knobel). This is raised to a certainty by the fact that, at the commencement of the period of the Judges, the sons of the brother-in-law of Moses went into the desert of Judah to the south of Arad along with the sons of Judah (Jdg 1:16), and therefore had entered Canaan with the Israelites, and that they were still living in that neighbourhood in the time of Saul (Sa1 15:6; Sa1 27:10; Sa1 30:29).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Raguel - Called also Reuel, Exo 2:18, who seems to be the same with Jethro; it being usual in scripture for one person to have two or three names. And therefore this Hobab is not Jethro, but his son, which may seem more probable, because Jethro was old and unfit to travel, and desirous, as may well be thought, to die in his own country, whither he returned, Exo 18:27, but Hobab was young and fitter for these journeys, and therefore entreated by Moses to stay and bear them company.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Moses said unto Hobab - For a circumstantial account of this person see the notes on Exo 2:15, Exo 2:16 (note), Exo 2:18 (note); Exo 3:1; Exo 4:20 (note), Exo 4:24 (note); and for the transaction recorded here, and which is probably out of its place, see Exo 18:5 (note), where the subject is discussed at large. We are journeying - God has brought us out of thraldom, and we are thus far on our way through the wilderness, travelling towards the place of rest which he has appointed us, trusting in his promise, guided by his presence, and supported by his power. Come thou with us, and we will do thee good. Those who wish to enjoy the heavenly inheritance must walk in the way towards it, and associate with the people who are going in that way. True religion is ever benevolent. They who know most of the goodness of God are the most forward to invite others to partake of that goodness. That religion which excludes all others from salvation, unless they believe a particular creed, and worship in a particular way, is not of God. Even Hobab, the Arab, according to the opinion of Moses, might receive the same blessings which God had promised to Israel, provided he accompanied them in the same way. The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel - The name Israel is taken in a general sense to signify the followers of God, and to them all the promises in the Bible are made. God has spoken good of them, and he has spoken good to them; and not one word that he hath spoken shall fail. Reader, hast thou left thy unhallowed connections in life? Hast thou got into the camp of the Most High? Then continue to follow God with Israel, and thou shalt be incorporated in the heavenly family, and share in Israel's benedictions.

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¹⁸ And when they came [0935] to Reuel [07467] their father [01], he said [0559], How [04069] is it that ye are come [0935] so soon [04116] to day [03117]?

¹¹ Now Heber [02268] the Kenite [07017], which was of the children [01121] of Hobab [02246] the father in law [02859] of Moses [04872], had severed [06504] himself from the Kenites [07017], and pitched [05186] his tent [0168] unto the plain [0436] of Zaanaim [06815], which is by Kedesh [06943].

¹⁶ And the children [01121] of the Kenite [07017], Moses [04872]' father in law [02859], went up [05927] out of the city [05892] of palm trees [08558] [05899] with the children [01121] of Judah [03063] into the wilderness [04057] of Judah [03063], which lieth in the south [05045] of Arad [06166]; and they went [03212] and dwelt [03427] among [0854] the people [05971].

¹ Now Moses [04872] kept [01961] [07462] the flock [06629] of Jethro [03503] his father in law [02859], the priest [03548] of Midian [04080]: and he led [05090] the flock [06629] to the backside [0310] of the desert [04057], and came [0935] to the mountain [02022] of God [0430], even to Horeb [02722].

¹⁸ And when they came [0935] to Reuel [07467] their father [01], he said [0559], How [04069] is it that ye are come [0935] so soon [04116] to day [03117]?

²⁹ And to them which were in Rachal [07403], and to them which were in the cities [05892] of the Jerahmeelites [03397], and to them which were in the cities [05892] of the Kenites [07017],

¹⁰ And Achish [0397] said [0559], Whither [0408] have ye made a road [06584] to day [03117]? And David [01732] said [0559], Against the south [05045] of Judah [03063], and against the south [05045] of the Jerahmeelites [03397], and against the south [05045] of the Kenites [07017].

⁶ And Saul [07586] said [0559] unto the Kenites [07017], Go [03212], depart [05493], get you down [03381] from among [08432] the Amalekites [06002], lest I destroy [0622] you with them: for ye shewed [06213] kindness [02617] to all the children [01121] of Israel [03478], when they came up [05927] out of Egypt [04714]. So the Kenites [07017] departed [05493] from among [08432] the Amalekites [06003].

¹⁵ Now when Pharaoh [06547] heard [08085] this thing [01697], he sought [01245] to slay [02026] Moses [04872]. But Moses [04872] fled [01272] from the face [06440] of Pharaoh [06547], and dwelt [03427] in the land [0776] of Midian [04080]: and he sat down [03427] by a well [0875].

³⁴ As the LORD [03068] commanded [06680] Moses [04872], so Aaron [0175] laid it up [03240] before [06440] the Testimony [05715], to be kept [04931].

⁵⁰ Thus did [06213] all the children [01121] of Israel [03478]; as the LORD [03068] commanded [06680] Moses [04872] and Aaron [0175], so did [06213] they.

⁶ And Moses [04872] and Aaron [0175] did [06213] as the LORD [03068] commanded [06680] them, so did [06213] they.

³ And the waters [04325] returned [07725] from off the earth [0776] continually [01980] [07725]: and after the end [07097] of the hundred [03967] and fifty [02572] days [03117] the waters [04325] were abated [02637].

¹² And the rain [01653] was upon the earth [0776] forty [0705] days [03117] and forty [0705] nights [03915].

²⁸ Thus were [0428] the journeyings [04550] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478] according to their armies [06635], when they set forward [05265].

²⁹ And Moses [04872] said [0559] unto Hobab [02246], the son [01121] of Raguel [07467] the Midianite [04084], Moses [04872]' father in law [02859], We are journeying [05265] unto the place [04725] of which the LORD [03068] said [0559], I will give [05414] it you: come [03212] thou with us, and we will do thee good [02895]: for the LORD [03068] hath spoken [01696] good [02896] concerning Israel [03478].
³⁰ And he said [0559] unto him, I will not go [03212]; but I will depart [03212] to mine own land [0776], and to my kindred [04138].
³¹ And he said [0559], Leave [05800] us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest [03651] [03045] how we are to encamp [02583] in the wilderness [04057], and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes [05869].
³² And it shall be, if thou go [03212] with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness [02896] the LORD [03068] shall do [03190] unto us, the same will we do [02895] unto thee.
³³ And they departed [05265] from the mount [02022] of the LORD [03068] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870]: and the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] went [05265] before [06440] them in the three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870], to search out [08446] a resting place [04496] for them.
³⁴ And the cloud [06051] of the LORD [03068] was upon them by day [03119], when they went out [05265] of the camp [04264].
³⁵ And it came to pass, when the ark [0727] set forward [05265], that Moses [04872] said [0559], Rise up [06965], LORD [03068], and let thine enemies [0341] be scattered [06327]; and let them that hate [08130] thee flee [05127] before [06440] thee.
³⁶ And when it rested [05117], he said [0559], Return [07725], O LORD [03068], unto the many [07233] thousands [0505] of Israel [03478].

²⁷ And Moses [04872] let his father in law [02859] depart [07971]; and he went [03212] his way into his own land [0776].

¹⁶ Now the priest [03548] of Midian [04080] had seven [07651] daughters [01323]: and they came [0935] and drew [01802] water, and filled [04390] the troughs [07298] to water [08248] their father's [01] flock [06629].

²⁷ And Moses [04872] let his father in law [02859] depart [07971]; and he went [03212] his way into his own land [0776].

¹⁸ And when they came [0935] to Reuel [07467] their father [01], he said [0559], How [04069] is it that ye are come [0935] so soon [04116] to day [03117]?

⁵ And Jethro [03503], Moses [04872]' father in law [02859], came [0935] with his sons [01121] and his wife [0802] unto Moses [04872] into the wilderness [04057], where he encamped [02583] at the mount [02022] of God [0430]:

²⁴ And it came to pass by the way [01870] in the inn [04411], that the LORD [03068] met [06298] him, and sought [01245] to kill [04191] him.

²⁰ And Moses [04872] took [03947] his wife [0802] and his sons [01121], and set [07392] them upon an ass [02543], and he returned [07725] to the land [0776] of Egypt [04714]: and Moses [04872] took [03947] the rod [04294] of God [0430] in his hand [03027].

¹⁸ And when they came [0935] to Reuel [07467] their father [01], he said [0559], How [04069] is it that ye are come [0935] so soon [04116] to day [03117]?