Genesis 29:8

Translations

Modern

But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”

Traditional

And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

Literal

And they said, “We are not able until that all the flocks are gathered together and they have rolled the stone from the mouth of the well; then we will water the sheep.”

Latin

Qui responderunt: Non possumus, donec omnia pecora congregentur, et amoveamus lapidem de ore putei, ut adaquemus greges.

Original

Hebrew

English

But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”

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

Related verses

Mark 16:3
They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?”
Luke 24:2
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
Genesis 34:14
“We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.
Genesis 43:32
They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.
Genesis 29:3
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.

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

Sheep: Flocks of Watered Every Day Shepherd: Waters the Flocks

Genesis 29:8

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