Hobab

Hobab was the son of Reuel the Midianite, identified in Numbers 10:29 as the father-in-law of Moses (though the Hebrew ḥōtēn can denote various in-law relationships, and some interpreters render it as brother-in-law). This has generated the question of how to reconcile Hobab son of Reuel with Jethro (yitrô), who is also identified as Moses's father-in-law. The most common harmonization identifies Reuel and Jethro as the same person (with Jethro as a title or alternate name) and Hobab as his son, making Hobab Moses's brother-in-law.

Moses appealed to Hobab to serve as a guide in the wilderness: You know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us (Numbers 10:31). Hobab initially declined, wishing to return to his own land and people, but the ultimate outcome of the appeal is unrecorded—though Judges 1:16 and 4:11 suggest the Kenite descendants of Moses's father-in-law did join Israel, indicating Hobab relented. His name, meaning beloved, reflects the positive regard in which he was held by the Israelite community.