Numbers 10:32

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֖ה H1961
וְהָיָ֖ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֵלֵ֣ךְ H1980
תֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 3 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִמָּ֑נוּ H5973
עִמָּ֑נוּ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְהָיָ֣ה׀ H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַטּ֣וֹב with us yea it shall be that what goodness H2896
הַטּ֣וֹב with us yea it shall be that what goodness
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 6 of 13
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
הַה֗וּא H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ shall do H3190
וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ shall do
Strong's: H3190
Word #: 9 of 13
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּ֖נוּ H5973
עִמָּ֖נוּ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 11 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ shall do H3190
וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ shall do
Strong's: H3190
Word #: 12 of 13
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
לָֽךְ׃ H0
לָֽךְ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 13 of 13

Analysis & Commentary

And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee—Moses offers covenant inclusion: the Hebrew repetition (wəhāyāh kî-tēlēḵ ʿimmānū wəhāyāh haṭṭôḇ hahûʾ) emphasizes certainty and reciprocity. Ṭôḇ (טוֹב, 'goodness') refers not merely to material blessing but to covenant participation in God's promises to Israel.

This principle anticipates the grafting of Gentiles into Israel's olive tree (Romans 11:17-24). Hobab wasn't offered mere employment as a guide, but full participation in Israel's destiny. The offer transforms potential exploitation ('use his skills') into genuine covenant fellowship—a pattern for how God's people should welcome outsiders who join themselves to the Lord (Isaiah 56:3-8).

Historical Context

This promise echoes God's covenant with Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3). Hobab's potential inclusion demonstrates that even in the Old Covenant, non-Israelites could participate in God's promises through faith and alignment with His people. The Rechabites (descendants of Hobab, Judges 1:16) later received divine commendation (Jeremiah 35).

Questions for Reflection

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