HOBAB

Name associated with Moses’ father-in-law (Nm 10:29; Jgs 4:11, nlt mg), who was a priest of Midian (Ex 18:1) and ancestor of the Kenites (Jgs 4:11). He is usually called Jethro (Ex 3:1; 4:18; 18:1-12), but also Reuel (Ex 2:18).

The confusion surrounding the name Hobab has never been satisfactorily resolved. Judges 4:11 seems to identify Hobab with Jethro; there is some manuscript evidence for adding “Hobab” to “the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law” in Judges 1:16, and to the mention of Reuel in Exodus 2:18. But Hobab could be Jethro’s son, on one reading of Numbers 10:29a: “Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law.” In this passage Moses requests that Hobab accompany Israel as guide and adviser in the wilderness.

See also Jethro.