Numbers 10:29 kjv
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.
Numbers 10:29 nkjv
Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has promised good things to Israel."
Numbers 10:29 niv
Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place about which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel."
Numbers 10:29 esv
And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel."
Numbers 10:29 nlt
One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, "We are on our way to the place the LORD promised us, for he said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!"
Numbers 10 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 10:30 | But he said to him, "I will not go..." | Hobab's initial reluctance. |
| Num 10:31-32 | "Please do not leave us... if you go with us, it will be well with us..." | Moses' continued appeal & practical benefit. |
| Exod 3:8 | "So I have come down to deliver them... to a land flowing with milk and honey." | God's initial promise of the land. |
| Gen 12:7 | The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." | The Abrahamic promise of the land. |
| Deut 1:8 | "See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession..." | Reiteration of the land promise. |
| Neh 9:15 | "You gave them bread from heaven... and water from the rock... and told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them." | God's provision and promise fulfillment. |
| Isa 2:3 | "Many peoples shall come, and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...'" | Future invitation of Gentiles to Zion. |
| Zec 8:23 | "...ten men from the nations... shall take hold of the hem of a Jew..." | Nations joining Israel in seeking God. |
| Acts 2:28 | "You have made known to me the path of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence." | The joy and blessing of God's presence. |
| Psa 16:11 | "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." | Joy and good from God's presence. |
| Psa 84:10 | "...better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." | Blessing of being in God's dwelling. |
| Heb 11:8-10 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called... looking forward to the city... | Faith in God's promised inheritance. |
| Heb 11:13 | "...strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland." | The transient nature of life, seeking homeland. |
| Judg 1:16 | "The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the city of palms with the people of Judah to the wilderness of Judah..." | Kenites later associating with Judah. |
| 1 Sam 15:6 | Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart... so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the people of Israel..." | Kenites spared for past kindness to Israel. |
| Eph 2:19-20 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... | Gentiles invited into God's family. |
| Psa 119:68 | "You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." | God's character: inherently good and generous. |
| Psa 23:6 | "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." | The promised good of God's leading. |
| Exo 18:9-12 | Jethro rejoiced... "Blessed be the LORD... now I know that the LORD is greater..." Jethro offered sacrifices. | Jethro's recognition of God's greatness and fellowship. |
| Num 9:17-23 | At the command of the LORD they set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. | Israel's reliance on divine leading. |
Numbers 10 verses
Numbers 10 29 Meaning
Numbers 10:29 captures Moses' heartfelt invitation to his brother-in-law, Hobab, to join the Israelites on their journey from Sinai to the Promised Land. It highlights God's steadfast promise of blessing and inheritance for His people and extends an offer of shared prosperity and divine favor to one outside the direct Abrahamic lineage, based on Israel's identity as God's chosen recipient of goodness.
Numbers 10 29 Context
Numbers chapter 10 marks a pivotal moment, signaling the long-awaited departure of the Israelites from Mount Sinai, where they had been encamped for nearly a year receiving divine law and establishing the Tabernacle. Following detailed instructions for camp arrangement, the setting up of the Tabernacle, and the ceremonial trumpets used for assembly and movement, this verse narrates the actual commencement of their journey toward the Promised Land. Moses' invitation to Hobab comes just as the cloud lifts from over the Tabernacle, and the ark sets forth, symbolizing divine guidance for the pilgrimage. Historically, this journey was perilous, traversing an unforgiving desert towards an unknown future inhabited by hostile nations, making divine provision and presence paramount. Culturally, nomadic people like the Midianites possessed intimate knowledge of desert terrain, routes, and resources, making Hobab's expertise invaluable alongside the miraculous leading of God.
Numbers 10 29 Word analysis
- Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Moshe): The central figure of the Exodus, divinely appointed leader. Here, he acts both as a spiritual guide communicating God's promise and a pragmatic leader seeking a knowledgeable companion. His persistent invitation highlights a tension between human and divine provision for the journey.
- said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): A direct and intentional declaration, initiating a conversation and a significant proposition.
- Hobab (חֹבָב - Ḥobab): His name means "beloved" or "cherished." He is presented as Moses' brother-in-law, distinct from Jethro in some interpretations, and of Kenite/Midianite lineage. His inclusion speaks to the openness of God's redemptive plan beyond the direct descendants of Jacob.
- son of Reuel (בֶן־רְעוּאֵל - ben-Re'uel): Reuel, often identified with Jethro, was the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law (Exod 2:18, 3:1). The relationship terms in Hebrew kinship can be broad, implying various familial ties (father-in-law, brother-in-law, kin), but given Exodus accounts, Hobab is likely Jethro's son or very closely related.
- the Midianite (הַמִּדְיָנִי - ha-Midyani): Identifies Hobab's tribal affiliation, an ethnic group related to Israel through Abraham but not directly part of the covenant people. Their presence here is a unique invitation. This stands as a mild indirect polemic against exclusive ethnic belonging for receiving divine blessing.
- Moses' father-in-law (חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה - ḥoten Moshe): The Hebrew ḥoten can mean father-in-law, brother-in-law, or male relative by marriage. While Jethro is Moses' father-in-law, Hobab is identified this way in Judges 4:11 and in some translations of Numbers 10:29, implying he is either Jethro's son or a brother/kinsman. The key is the strong familial bond implied.
- We are setting out (נֹסְעִים - nose'im): Implies active movement and communal decision. The "we" emphasizes shared purpose and destiny.
- to the place (אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם - ʾel-hammaqom): Refers specifically to the Promised Land, Canaan. It's not just any destination, but a divinely ordained one.
- of which the LORD (אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה - ʾasher amar Yahweh): Directly attributes the promise and destination to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This establishes the divine authority and certainty behind the journey's objective.
- I will give it to you (אֶתְּנֶנּוּ לָכֶם - ettenennu lakem): God's direct, personal promise of possession to Israel. Emphasizes God's sovereign gift and His faithfulness to His word.
- Come with us (לְכָה אִתָּנוּ - lekhah ittani): A personal, earnest invitation. It extends an offer of inclusion into God's journey and blessing, transcending tribal boundaries.
- and we will do you good (וְהֵיטַבְנוּ לָךְ - vehetavnu lakh): A specific promise of tangible benefit, prosperity, and welfare. This good stems from and is guaranteed by God's own goodness to Israel.
- for the LORD has promised good concerning Israel (כִּי־יְהוָה דִּבֶּר טוֹב עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - ki-Yahweh dibber tov 'al-Yisra'el): The foundational premise for the invitation. God's faithfulness to Israel is the assurance for the goodness promised to Hobab. "Good" (טוֹב - tov) here encompasses blessing, prosperity, and flourishing.
Numbers 10 29 Bonus section
The relationship between Hobab and Jethro has been a point of scholarly discussion. Some view Reuel as Jethro's father, making Hobab Jethro's brother and thus Moses' brother-in-law. Others suggest "Reuel" might be an alternate name for Jethro, implying Hobab is Jethro's son. Regardless of the exact genealogical tie, the connection signifies a deep-rooted, long-standing alliance between Moses' family and the Midianite clan. The subsequent history of the Kenites, despite Hobab's initial reluctance (Num 10:30), confirms their eventual positive interaction and occasional alliance with Israel (Judg 1:16, 4:11; 1 Sam 15:6), underscoring the long-term impact of Moses' earnest invitation and the promise of "good." This also highlights a strategic alliance for Israel, as the Midianites were skilled desert travelers and traders.
Numbers 10 29 Commentary
Numbers 10:29 reveals multifaceted theological and practical truths as Israel commences its desert pilgrimage. Moses' invitation to Hobab is rooted deeply in God's prior promise of goodness and the land to Israel, making the community of God's people the conduit of blessing even for outsiders. It demonstrates a tension between absolute reliance on divine guidance (the cloud and the ark) and the practical wisdom of human experience (Hobab's desert knowledge). While the ultimate success of the journey depended on God, Moses acknowledges and seeks to leverage human resources, implying that God often works through cooperative human effort. The core message is the overflowing nature of God's blessing, intended not just for His chosen people but extending even to those closely associated with them. This passage serves as an early testament to God's heart for the nations, showing that involvement with God's people results in tangible good, a foretaste of future inclusiveness under the new covenant.