Numbers 10 comprises meaty topics for discussion. Here we bring Abravanel’s explanation of the verses
quoting a conversation between Moses and Jethro, his father-in-law.
“And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’
father-in-law. We are journeying unto the place of which God said: I will
give it you. Come with us and we will do you good, for God has spoken
good concerning Israel.”
First, Abravanel writes about Jethro’s multiple names in the Torah, here called Hobab. As for context,
the Hebrews had just spent nearly a year at the base of Mount Sinai, where they received the Torah.
Amidst trumpet blasts, the Jews packed up, setting off for wherever the divine cloud would lead. “And it
came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month…And the
Children of Israel set forward by their stages out of the wilderness of Sinai…”
“And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite” introduces their dialogue. Abravanel
states that Jethro is affectionately called Hobab, in Hebrew “beloved” or “dear.” This name of Moses’
father-in-law intimates a tight bond between both men. Indeed, Moses and Hobab held each other in
great esteem.
Next, Abravanel supplies personal details about Jethro, based on our verse: “Hobab, the son of Reuel
the Midianite.” Tradition relates that Jethro served as Midian’s high priest. Moses continued: “We are
journeying unto the place of which God said…” The prophet told his father-in-law, that even though the
Hebrews had tacked on nearly a year at Sinai, that wouldn’t always be the case.
Moses fully assumed that in no time flat, the Jews would arrive at Canaan’s doorsteps and liberate, “the
place of which God said: I will give it to you.” In this way, Moses hoped to induce Jethro to stick around.
The only reason why the Hebrews tarried so long at Sinai was because the Creator demanded it.
However, the Holy Land would be the people’s next stop, so believed Moses. In fact, God desired to
deed the nation the land posthaste.
But, on account of the spies’ scurrilous report, and the people’s fatal misstep and acceptance of that
report, the itinerary changed. God was not about to let an ungrateful, rotten generation take possession
of the storied land. That would soon unravel, unbeknownst to Jethro’s son-in-law.
At this juncture, though, Moses tried to coax Jethro into throwing his fate with the Hebrews. “Come
with us and we will do you good, for God has spoken good concerning Israel.” Abravanel understands
the words to mean that the Holy Land would be apportioned to the Jews, and as an inducement, Moses
offered prime real estate to Jethro.
Jethro didn’t bite. “And he said unto him. I will not go, but I will depart to mine own land, and to my
kindred.” In so many words, for Abravanel, the priest from Midian reminded Moses that he was a real
estate mogul, and possessed valuable property in Midian. Needless to say, Jethro wasn’t impressed by
the offer. A determined Moses sought to persuade Jethro to change his mind. To no avail.
Post-script: Abravanel says that for the entire year-long stay at Sinai, Jethro had resided in the Hebrew
encampment. As for running his real estate empire remotely, Jethro kept tabs on his holdings and
continued to conduct his affairs, with the help of his managers who regularly commuted between
Midian and Sinai.
