Numbers 10 32

Numbers 10:32 kjv

And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.

Numbers 10:32 nkjv

And it shall be, if you go with us?indeed it shall be?that whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you."

Numbers 10:32 niv

If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the LORD gives us."

Numbers 10:32 esv

And if you do go with us, whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same will we do to you."

Numbers 10:32 nlt

If you do, we'll share with you all the blessings the LORD gives us."

Numbers 10 verses

Numbers 10 32 Meaning

Numbers 10:32 records Moses' promise to Hobab, his brother-in-law, that if he would accompany Israel on their wilderness journey, then Israel would share with him whatever blessings and good things the Lord bestowed upon them. It underscores the principle of sharing divine beneficence within the community of faith, reflecting God's generosity through human hospitality and reciprocity.

Numbers 10 32 Context

Numbers chapter 10 marks a significant transition in Israel's journey from Sinai. After receiving the Law and setting up the Tabernacle, Israel is prepared to move towards the Promised Land under the direct guidance of the Lord's cloud. Verses 29-32 specifically detail Moses' appeal to Hobab, his brother-in-law (son of Reuel/Jethro, depending on interpretation of kinship terms, and brother to Zipporah). Hobab, being from a desert-dwelling Midianite family, possessed valuable knowledge of the wilderness terrain and its dangers. Moses first invites Hobab for his company, reminding him of God's promise to Israel. When Hobab initially declines, Moses intensifies his plea in verse 31, emphasizing Hobab's practical expertise as "eyes for us in the wilderness." Verse 32 is Moses' ultimate persuasion, appealing to a sense of shared destiny and promising that Hobab's clan would partake fully in the divine blessings that awaited Israel, establishing a bond of mutual benefit and reciprocity based on God's future goodness.

Numbers 10 32 Word analysis

• And it shall be (וְהָיָה - v'hāyāh): This common Hebrew construct often introduces a consequential event or condition. Here, it sets the stage for the outcome of Hobab joining Israel, linking a human action directly to divine blessing.
• if you go (כִּי-תֵלֵךְ - kî-ṯēlēḵ): Signifies a direct, personal choice and action by Hobab. It's an invitation to a shared journey, implying participation in the community's destiny.
• with us (אִתָּנוּ - ʾittānû): Emphasizes inclusion and solidarity. Hobab is invited not merely to observe but to actively partake as a member of the travelling community.
• indeed whatever good (כָּל-הַטּוֹב - kāl-haṭṭōwḇ): "All the good." The Hebrew "kol" (all/every) conveys fullness and comprehensiveness. It refers to every possible blessing, sustenance, and favorable circumstance that God would provide.
• the Lord does (יְהוָה יֵיטִיב - YHWH yēyṭîḇ): Explicitly attributes all "good" to YHWH, the covenant name of God. This highlights God as the sovereign benefactor and ultimate source of prosperity, reinforcing reliance on divine providence. "Yeitiv" means to deal well, do good.
• for us (עָלֵינוּ - ʿālênû): Identifies Israel as the primary recipients of God's direct goodness, establishing the basis upon which they can then share with Hobab.
• that we will do the same for you (וְהֵיטַבְנוּ לָךְ - wəhêṭaḇnû lāḵ): "And we will do good to you." This mirrors the divine action. It signifies an intentional, reciprocal act of hospitality and sharing, demonstrating that Israel's experience of God's goodness will be extended to Hobab. It is a promise to act in kindness and generosity, reflecting the very nature of the God they serve.

Words-group analysis:

• "if you go with us": This phrase encapsulates an offer of invitation and partnership. It signifies the open door for an outsider to join the covenant people of God, experiencing their journey of faith and dependence on the Divine Guide. It moves beyond a purely utilitarian need for a guide to an offer of communal participation.
• "indeed whatever good the Lord does for us": This foundationally asserts that all true, lasting, and abundant good originates solely from the Lord. It establishes divine blessing as the absolute prerequisite and limitless resource for any generosity extended by Israel. It contrasts human effort with divine provision.
• "that we will do the same for you": This promise outlines a covenantal ethic. Israel, as recipients of divine grace, pledges to extend that same grace and goodness to Hobab. It signifies Israel's role as a conduit of God's blessing, demonstrating that experiencing God's generosity compels believers to share it generously with others, particularly those who join their journey of faith.

Numbers 10 32 Bonus section

This verse also provides an example of divine strategy in community building. Moses' persistent invitation to Hobab highlights that God often uses human agency and relationships (Hobab's wilderness expertise) alongside supernatural guidance (the cloud). It's not either/or, but both/and. The promise to Hobab reflects a practical application of the Abrahamic covenant principle: those who bless Israel would be blessed (Gen 12:3). Hobab's role was envisioned not merely as a guide but as one who, by journeying with God's people, would share in the inheritance of God's goodness, becoming a beneficiary of divine favor. This extends an invitation beyond simply obeying commands to participating in the Lord's active work, making God's people a beacon of attraction.

Numbers 10 32 Commentary

Numbers 10:32 reveals profound truths about God's nature and the character of His people. Moses' appeal to Hobab is rooted in an understanding that the goodness Israel anticipates will flow from the Lord, not from their own strength or resourcefulness. This acknowledges God as the ultimate provider and the faithful fulfiller of His promises. The verse encapsulates a model of inclusive community: an outsider, even if driven by practical needs or existing connections, is invited into the sphere of divine blessing through association with God's chosen people. Israel's promise, "we will do the same for you," demonstrates that being a recipient of God's grace leads to active generosity towards others. It is an expression of kingdom economics, where sharing the divinely provided good is the expected response, reflecting God's own overflowing kindness. This principle implies that genuine spiritual fellowship often brings tangible benefits and mutual support. It also gently pushes against self-sufficiency, suggesting that human wisdom (Hobab's skills) can work synergistically with divine guidance when embraced within God's purposes, with God remaining the supreme benefactor.