Beha’alotkha

Moses said to Hovav, son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord has said, “I will give it to you. ‘Come with us and we will be generous with you; for the Lord has promised to be generous to Israel.” “I will not go” he replied to him, “but will return to my native land.” He said, “Please do not leave us, as you know where we should amp in the wilderness and can be our guide. So if you come with us, we will extend to you the same bounty that the Lord grants us.”

10:29 – 1

In the previous verses the request was claimed to be for Havav’s benefit…therefore Moses reiterated his request, explaining it in greater detail. “Please do not leave us, your presence benefits us…I appeal to you…because you are expert on the terrain in the places where we will camp.

Samson Raphael Hirsch (19^th Century)

According to the plain sense of the text, Moses sought human leadership in addition to divine leadership, and this was difficult for the Jews of antiquity to accept. This is why the ancient translations do not render this verse according to its plain sense.

Jacob Licht (20^th Century)

Hovav’s response is not given in the Torah, nor does the Torah tell us that he joined the people. Quite the contrary, we are immediately told about the people setting forth on its journey with the Ark of the Covenant leading and guiding them; hence one might conclude that Hovav did not join the journeying tribes…

Amos Frisch (Contemporary)

The Chovav mentioned here is identical to Yitro, Moses’ father in law. He was given a new name when he converted to Judaism. It is customary to give converts a new name when they are accepted into the Judaism…But he did not think that Moses’ promise would include land in the conquered country….but I believe (in the end) Yitro agreed to this proposal.

Ramban (13^th Century)

Another meaning of the words: “You will be our eyes” was that they referred to Yitro testifying to the Gentiles what he had observed while traveling with the Jewish people. Yitro was to report all the miracles…upon hearing this it was hoped that more Gentiles would be moved to convert to Judaism…This is the approach of Onkelos…

Rabbeinu Bachya (13^th Century)

Because Moses had not said that God would grant him a share in the land, but that his share would be due to the generosity of the Jewish people, Yitro decided not to accept on those conditions, but rather to return to his homeland. He emphasized that his return to his native land had nothing to do with the weakening of his religious convictions as a monotheist, a believer in the God of Israel, but that his own home would not be suspected of having joined the Jewish people for personal gain or advancement…

Moshe Alshich (16^th Century)