Numbers 10:30

30 But he said to him, "I will not go. I will only go to my land and to my family."

Numbers 10:30 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 10:30

And he said unto him, I will not go
Which was a very peremptory answer, he seemed determined, and at a point about it for the present, though it is, probable he afterwards changed his mind, like the young man in the parable, ( Matthew 21:29 ) ;

but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred;
which were prevailing motives with him, his native country, his relations, and father's house; to this resolution he came, both because of his substance, and because of his family, as Jarchi.

Numbers 10:30 In-Context

28 These [were] the departures of the {Israelites} according to their divisions; and so they set out.

29 Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, the father-in-law of Moses, "We [are] setting out to the place that Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you'; go with us, and we will {treat you well} because {Yahweh promised} good concerning Israel."

30 But he said to him, "I will not go. I will only go to my land and to my family."

31 He said, "Please, do not abandon us because you know our encampment in the desert, and {you should be our guide}.

32 Moreover, if you go with us, the good that Yahweh will do to us we will do to you."