Hobab was a man living during the time of the Exodus and wilderness period, first mentioned in Numbers 10:29, and was the son of Jethro and the brother of Zipporah.
About Hobab
A member of the Midianite people who was connected to Moses's family (Numbers 10:29; Judges 4:11). He was either Moses's father-in-law or his brother-in-law. If he was Moses's father-in-law, he was also known by two other names. He is usually called Jethro (Exodus 3:1; 4:18; 18:1–12). But he is also called Reuel (Exodus 2:18). Jethro served as a priest of Midian (Exodus 18:1). He was the ancestor of the Kenite people (Judges 4:11).
Scholars are not sure whether Hobab was Moses's father-in-law or brother-in-law. In Judges 4:11, Hobab seems to be the same person as Jethro. Some ancient copies of the Bible add the name"Hobab" when mentioning "the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law" in Judges 1:16. They also add his name when talking about Reuel in Exodus 2:18. However, Numbers 10:29a could mean that Hobab was Reuel's son (making him Moses's brother-in-law). In this passage, Moses asks Hobab to help guide the Israelites through the wilderness because he knew the area well.
Family Relationships
Key References
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “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.”
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.
All Scripture References (2)
Numbers (1)
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “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.”
Judges (1)
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.