HOBAB hō’ băb (חֹבָב, H2463, beloved). A name that occurs only twice in the Bible (Num 10:29; Judg 4:11). In the first passage it is the name of the father-in-law of Moses. The second passage is ambiguous, and it is not certain whether Hobab is the father-in-law or the brother-in-law of Moses. In the last passage, moreover, Hobab is called a Kenite; whereas in the first he is referred to as a Midianite. In Judges 1:16 Moses’ father-in-law is referred to but not named, and he is called a Kenite (LXX has “Hobab the Kenite”). In three passages (Exod 3:1; 4:18; 18:1) Moses’ father-in-law is called Jethro, and in the first and third he is called a priest of Midian. In Exodus 2:18 however, Moses’ father-in-law is called Reuel, and is described as a priest of Midian.

Various attempts have been made to harmonize these differences, but none has commended itself to all. According to Mohammedan tradition, Hobab was only another name for Jethro, but there is no way of checking the accuracy of this tradition.

While the children of Israel were encamped near Sinai, Moses persuaded Hobab to accompany them so that they might have the benefit of his experience as a desert sheik (Num 10:29-32; Judg 1:16).