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31.And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee. Moses perseveres and urges what he had just said, that Hobab should be a sharer in the prosperity which God had given his people reason to expect. “ this end” (he says) “ hast known all our stations in the desert,” which words commentators do not appear to have observed or understood; for they translate them simply, “ thou hast known,” as if Moses desired to retain Hobab to be of use to himself, whereas there is more than one causal particle here; (10) and thus it is literally, “ for this cause, thou hast known all our resting-places,” etc. Its meaning, then, is as follows, that Hobab was ill-advised for his own interest; for he had borne many inconveniences, for this reason, that he might at sonic time or other receive his recompense; as if it were said, Wherefore hast thou hitherto endured so many inconveniences whilst directing our course, unless that thou mightest enjoy with us the blessings of our repose? In a word, Moses signifies that the labors of Hobab would be vain and fruitless, unless he should endure them a little while longer, until, together with the children of Israel, he should enjoy the promised inheritance. What is here said, then, does not relate to the future, as if Moses had said, Be to us instead of eyes, as thou hast been heretofore; but by reminding him that the reward of his labors was at hand, he urges and encourages him to proceed.
(10) כי עלכן. Translated in A. V., Gen_18:5, for therefore; Jud_6:22,for because; Jer_38:4,for thus; and here,forasmuch as.