Moses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 31. Guide, being well acquainted with the country, and consequently able to point out the best places for pasturage and for water, and to inform us what sort of people we are near. Hebrew “thou shalt serve us for eyes.” Septuagint “as a senator.” The Persians had officers who had the title of eyes and ears of the king. Brisson 1. Some suppose that Moses stood in no need of Hobab, having lived himself in that country 40 years, with Jethro; and that he only wished to keep his kinsman with him, that he might observe the true religion. He supposed at that time that they would presently obtain possession of Chanaan. But the sins of the people caused almost all to perish in the desert. Hobab probably accepted of the proposal, as we find the Cineans, descendants of Jethro, holding a portion of the land. Calmet. Judges 1:16. His posterity, the Rechabites, were noted for more than usual piety; and were the same with the Essenes, according to Serarius, and the first authors of a monastic life. Jerem. 35. Tirinus.