Numbers 10:29-32 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 10:29-36

Here is, I. An account of what passed between Moses and Hobab, now upon this advance which the camp of Israel made towards Canaan. Some think that Hobab was the same with Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, and that the story, Exod. 18:1-27, should come in here; it seems more probable that Hobab was the son of Jethro, alias Reuel, or Raguel (Exod. 2:18), and that when the father, being aged, went to his own land (Exod. 18:27), he left his son Hobab with Moses, as Barzillai left Chimham with David;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:29

And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite , Moses's father in law ,.... Some think this Hobab was the same with Jethro, whose father's name was Raguel or Reuel; so Jarchi and Ben Gersom; but rather Raguel or Reuel, and Jethro, seem to be the same, and was Moses's father-in-law, and this Hobab was the son of him, and brother of Zipporah, Moses's wife; and the same relation is designed whether the word is rendered his "father-in-law" or his "wife's brother", so Aben Ezra;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:30

And he said unto him, I will not go ,.... Which was a very peremptory answer, he seemed determined, and at a point about it for the present, though it is, probable he afterwards changed his mind, like the young man in the parable, Matthew 21:29 , but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred ; which were prevailing motives with him, his native country, his relations, and father's house; to this resolution he came, both because of his substance, and because of his family, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:31

And he said ,.... That is, Moses, he replied to Hobab, unwilling to take him at his word and go without him: leave us not, I pray thee ; or "not now"; as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; at this present time, under our present difficulties, while we are in the wilderness; though Jarchi says the particle × × signifies beseeching or supplication: forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness ; that this will be our case, that we shall be obliged, before we get... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:32

And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be ,.... This repetition is for the confirmation of it, more strongly assuring him of what follows: that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee ; signifying that whatsoever they enjoyed in the land of Canaan he should have his share with them: the Targum of Jonathan adds,"in the division of the land;'Jarchi says, when the land was divided, the fatness of Jericho was given to the sons of Jethro, to Jonadab,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:29

Moses said unto Hobab - For a circumstantial account of this person see the notes on Exodus 2:15 , Exodus 2:16 ; (note), Exodus 2:18 ; (note); Exodus 3:1 ; Exodus 4:20 ; (note), Exodus 4:24 ; (note); and for the transaction recorded here, and which is probably out of its place, see Exodus 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:30

I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred - From the strong expostulations in Numbers 10:31 ; and Numbers 10:32 , and from Judges 1:16 ; Judges 4:11 , and 1 Samuel 15:6 , it is likely that Hobab changed his mind; or that, if he did go back to Midian, he returned again to Israel, as the above scriptures show that his posterity dwelt among the Israelites in Canaan. Reader, after having been almost persuaded to become a Christian, to take Christ, his cross,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:31

Thou mayest be to us instead of eyes - But what need had they of Hobab, when they had the pillar and fire continually to point out their way? Answer: The cloud directed their general journeys, but not their particular excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still. (See Numbers 13, 20, 31, 32, etc). They therefore needed such a person as Hobab, who was well acquainted with the desert, to direct these particular excursions; to point them out watering places, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:29

Verse 29 29.And Moses said unto Hobab the son of Raguel. Very grossly are those mistaken who have supposed Hobab (7) to be Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, whom we have already seen to have returned a few days after he had come to see him. Now, old age almost in a state of decrepitude would have been but little suited for, or equal to, such difficult labors. Moses was now eighty years old, and still far short of the age of his father-in-law. But all doubt is removed by the fourth chapter of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:31

Verse 31 31.And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee. Moses perseveres and urges what he had just said, that Hobab should be a sharer in the prosperity which God had given his people reason to expect. “To this end” (he says) “thou hast known all our stations in the desert,” which words commentators do not appear to have observed or understood; for they translate them simply, “for thou hast known,” as if Moses desired to retain Hobab to be of use to himself, whereas there is more than one causal... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 10:29-36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 10:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:29

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:31

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