Lexical Definition
חֹבָב Chôbâb (kho-bawb') Hobab N:N-M-P
from חָבַב; cherished
Hobab.
- § Hobab = "cherished"
- Chobab, father-in-law of Moses
1) the son of Reuel, the Midianite father-in-law of Moses, also known as Jethro, and brother-in-law of Moses
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| לְ֠חֹבָב | to Hobab | Num.10.29 |
| חֹבָ֖ב | Hobab | Judg.4.11 |
| Οβάβ | of Hobab | LXX.Judg.4.11 |
| Ιωβάβ | to Hobab | LXX.Num.10.29 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.10.29
- son of: Jethro (יִתְרוֹ)
- brother of: Zipporah (צִפֹּרָה) and Eliasaph (אֶלְיָסָף)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֹבָב proper name, masculine (compare Phoenician proper name חב; WeSkizzen iii, 171. 217 suggests comparison with 
serpent) — son of Reuel, חֹתֵן of Moses (see חתן), Num 10:29 (J E), Judg 4:11 insert ׳ח probably also Judg 1:16, see GFM.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Numbers | 10:29 |
| Judges | 1:16 · 4:11 |
Profile
Male • Son of Jethro • Moses' brother-in-law, a Midianite.
Midianite living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Hobab, the son of Jethro (or 'Reuel') the Midianite and Moses' brother-in-law, was invited by Moses to join the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.
- A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.10.29;
- only referred to as Hobab חֹבָב;
- son of Jethro יִתְרוֹ;
- a brother of Zipporah צִפֹּרָה.
Hobab was a Midianite and the son of Reuel (also known as Jethro), who was Moses' father-in-law (Numbers 10:29). He is mentioned in two passages in the Bible, Numbers 10:29 and Judges 4:11.
In Numbers 10:29, as the Israelites were preparing to depart from Mount Sinai, Moses invited Hobab to join them on their journey to the Promised Land. Moses said, "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 to Israel." Initially, Hobab declined the invitation, preferring to return to his own land and people. However, it is implied that he eventually agreed to accompany the Israelites, as his descendants, the Kenites, are later mentioned as living among the Israelites (Judges 4:11).
In Judges 4:11, Hobab is described as the father-in-law of Heber the Kenite. This passage suggests that Hobab's descendants maintained a close relationship with the Israelites, even though they were not part of the original twelve tribes.
As a Midianite, Hobab would have had valuable knowledge of the wilderness through which the Israelites were traveling. His presence and guidance would have been beneficial to the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land.
All entries for Hobab: חֹבָב