Numbers 10:30 "I will not go," Hobab replied. "Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people."

◄ Numbers 10:30 ►

New International Version
He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.”

New Living Translation
But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.”

English Standard Version
But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.”

Berean Standard Bible
“I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.”

King James Bible
And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.

New King James Version
And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”

New American Standard Bible
But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.”

NASB 1995
But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.”

NASB 1977
But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and kin.”

Amplified Bible
But Hobab [Moses’ brother-in-law] said to him, “I will not go; I will return to my own land and to my family.”

Christian Standard Bible
But he replied to him, “I don’t want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But he replied to him, “I don’t want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives."”

American Standard Version
And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.

Contemporary English Version
"No, I won't go," Hobab answered. "I'm returning home to be with my own people."

English Revised Version
And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hobab answered, "No, I won't go. I want to go back to my own country where my relatives are."

Good News Translation
Hobab answered, "No, I am going back to my native land."

International Standard Version
But he said, "I won't go with you because I'm returning to my land and to my own family."

Majority Standard Bible
“I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.”

NET Bible
But Hobab said to him, "I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred."

New Heart English Bible
He said to him, "I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my kindred.

World English Bible
He said to him, “I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he says to him, “I do not go; but I go to my land and to my family.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto him, 'I do not go; but unto my land and unto my kindred do I go.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to him, I will not go; but to my land, and to my kindred I will go.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But he answered him: I will not go with thee, but I will return to my country, wherein I was born.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he answered him, “I will not go with you, but I will return to my own land, in which I was born.”

New American Bible
But he answered, “No, I will not come. I am going instead to the land of my birth.”

New Revised Standard Version
But he said to him, “I will not go, but I will go back to my own land and to my kindred.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But he said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, where I was born.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to him “I shall not go, but I shall go to my land where I was born.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto him: 'I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to him, I will not go, but I will go to my land and to my kindred.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

From Sinai to Paran
…29Then 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.” 30“I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” 31“Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 18:27
Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.

Ruth 1:15-16
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; follow her back home.” / But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

Genesis 12:1
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

Genesis 31:55
Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.

Judges 19:10
But the man was unwilling to spend the night. He got up and departed, and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

1 Samuel 15:6
And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

2 Samuel 19:37-38
Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” / The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”

1 Kings 19:20
So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?”

Jeremiah 2:2
“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Matthew 8:21-22
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Luke 9:61-62
Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” / Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

John 1:43-45
The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” / Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. / Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Acts 15:37-39
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. / But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. / Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

Acts 13:13
After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Treasury of Scripture

And he said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my kindred.

Genesis 12:1
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 31:30
And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

Ruth 1:15-17
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law…

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Numbers 10

1. The use of the silver trumpets
11. The Israelites move from Sinai to Paran
14. The order of their march
29. Hobab is entreated by Moses not to leave them
33. The blessing of Moses at the removing and resting of the ark

Berean Study Bible

But he replied
This phrase introduces a response, indicating a dialogue or conversation. In the context of Numbers 10, Moses is speaking to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law. The Hebrew root for "replied" is עָנָה (anah), which means to answer or respond. This sets the stage for a decision-making moment, highlighting the importance of dialogue and response in relationships and leadership. It reminds us of the value of communication and the need to listen and respond thoughtfully in our interactions.

I will not go
Hobab's response is direct and firm. The phrase "I will not go" reflects a personal decision and a sense of autonomy. The Hebrew word for "go" is יָלַךְ (yalak), which means to walk or proceed. This decision not to accompany the Israelites underscores the theme of free will and personal choice. It serves as a reminder that God allows individuals to make their own decisions, even when they differ from His people's plans. This highlights the respect for individual agency within the biblical narrative.

but I am going back
Here, Hobab expresses his intention to return to his own land. The phrase "going back" suggests a return to familiar territory, a place of origin or comfort. The Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv) means to return or turn back. This decision to return home can be seen as a reflection of loyalty to one's roots and heritage. It also emphasizes the importance of family and the pull of one's homeland, which can be a powerful influence in decision-making.

to my own land
Hobab refers to his homeland, which signifies a place of belonging and identity. The concept of "land" in the Hebrew Bible often carries significant weight, representing not just physical territory but also cultural and spiritual identity. The Hebrew word אֶרֶץ (eretz) is used here, which can mean land, earth, or country. This highlights the deep connection between people and their land, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of place in God's covenantal promises.

and my kindred
The mention of "kindred" points to family ties and relationships. The Hebrew word מוֹלֶדֶת (moledet) refers to kindred or family, emphasizing the bonds of kinship and community. This phrase underscores the value placed on family and the support system it provides. In the biblical context, family is often seen as a source of identity and strength, and this decision by Hobab reflects the prioritization of familial responsibilities and connections. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and honoring family relationships within the Christian faith.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(30) And he said unto him, I will not go . . . --It is not expressly stated in the narrative whether Hobab did or did not ultimately accompany the Israelites on their march. It appears most probable, however, that the renewed solicitation of Moses proved effectual. In any case, it is certain from Judges 1:16 that the Kenites, as a body, "went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah," and that "they went and dwelt among the people." (See Judges 1:16; Judges 4:11; 1Samuel 15:6; 2Kings 10:15; compared with 1Chronicles 2:55.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“I will not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go,”
אֵלֵ֑ךְ (’ê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

[Hobab] replied.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Instead,
כִּ֧י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I am going back
אֵלֵֽךְ׃ (’ê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my own land
אַרְצִ֛י (’ar·ṣî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and my own people.”
מוֹלַדְתִּ֖י (mō·w·laḏ·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4138: Nativity, lineage, native country, offspring, family

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OT Law: Numbers 10:30 He said to him I will not (Nu Num.)