Hobab
maleExodusMeaning: “Beloved; cherished”
The son of Jethro and brother-in-law of Moses, whom Moses asked to guide Israel through the wilderness as "eyes" for the camp.
Biography
Hobab was a son of Reuel (Jethro), the Midianite priest, and thus the brother-in-law of Moses. As Israel prepared to leave Sinai, Moses urged Hobab to come with them: "thou mayest be to us instead of eyes" — a guide who knew the desert and where the camp should pitch (Numbers 10:29–31).
A friend to Israel
Though Hobab at first wished to return to his own land, Moses pressed him to stay and share in the good the LORD had promised. His descendants, the Kenites, did indeed dwell among Israel for generations (Judges 1:16; 4:11) — a Midianite family grafted, through kindness and kinship, into the life of God's people.
Life Timeline
Asked by Moses to guide Israel through the wilderness
On the Bible timeline
Hobab belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Hobab
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hobab appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
2 verses in 2 booksNumbers1 verse
Numbers 10:29
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.
Judges1 verse
Judges 4:11
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
Frequently asked about Hobab
Who was Hobab in the Bible?
The son of Jethro and brother-in-law of Moses, whom Moses asked to guide Israel through the wilderness as "eyes" for the camp.
What does the name Hobab mean?
The name Hobab means “Beloved; cherished”.
Who were Hobab's parents?
Hobab was the child of Jethro.
Where does Hobab appear in the Bible?
Hobab is mentioned 2 times across 2 books: Numbers, Judges.
What can we learn from Hobab?
The story of Hobab touches on themes of desert, journey of israel through the, kenites, the, pilgrims and strangers, zeal, religious — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hobab's life.
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