Keraia
Genesis 29

Genesis 29:3

Jacob Meets Rachel · Genesis 29:1–13
Read Genesis 29

Translations

Modern
When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.
Traditional
And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.
Literal
And all the flocks would be gathered there, and they would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and they would water the sheep, and they would return the stone on the mouth of the well to its place.
Latin
Morisque erat ut cunctis ovibus congregatis devolverent lapidem, et refectis gregibus rursum super os putei ponerent.

Original

Hebrew
English
When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Notes

Genesis 29:2–12

Jacob met Rachel at the well at just the right time. This happened under God’s guidance, because God rules over all things (God is sovereign). God was leading Jacob toward the fulfillment of his promises (see 24:12–20). The well was a reminder of God’s blessing (compare 16:13–14; 21:19; 26:19–25, 33).

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Symbolic Numbers The Shepherd

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bilhah (Person) City Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jacob Maid, Maiden Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Well

Topics

Shepherd: Waters the Flocks Wells: Haran Wells: Often Covered to Prevent Their Being Filled with Sand