Keraia
Genesis 29

Genesis 29:7

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

Translations

Modern
“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”
Traditional
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
Literal
And he said, “Behold, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go pasture them.”
Latin
Dixitque Jacob: Adhuc multum diei superest, nec est tempus ut reducantur ad caulas greges: date ante potum ovibus, et sic eas ad pastum reducite.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”

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 Rachel 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

Topics

Shepherd: Waters the Flocks