And Moses said vnto Hobab the sonne of Raguel the Midianite Moses father in law, Wee are iourneying vnto the place of which the Lord said, I wil giue it you: come thou with vs, and we will doe thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. Numbers 10:29 (KJV)
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and it narrates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. In this verse Moses is addressing Hobab as the community prepares to resume its pilgrimage.
Hobab, Moses’ brother‑in‑law: Hobab was the son of Raguel, who is also identified as Jethro, the priest of Midian and father of Zipporah, Moses’ wife. Consequently Hobab is Moses’ brother‑in‑law. The biblical record mentions Hobab only briefly, and this passage provides one of the few references to him.
Moses’ Invitation: Moses invites Hobab to join the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. He points out Hobab’s intimate knowledge of the region and his experience living in the wilderness, trusting that such familiarity will be valuable to the people. Moses also reminds Hobab that the LORD has promised the land to Israel and assures him that the community will do him good. The invitation reflects Moses’ desire that Hobab share in the blessings and goodness that God has pledged to Israel.
God’s Promises: Moses emphasizes that the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel. This refers to the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the assurance that the people will inherit a land flowing with milk and honey. By highlighting these promises, Moses seeks to encourage Hobab to recognize that the journey is guided by divine fidelity and blessing.
