Genesis 29:9

Translations

Modern

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

Traditional

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.

Literal

He was still speaking with them, and Rachel came with the sheep that belonged to her father, for she was a shepherdess.

Latin

Adhuc loquebantur, et ecce Rachel veniebat cum ovibus patris sui: nam gregem ipsa pascebat.

Original

Hebrew

English

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

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

Exodus 2:15–16
When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.
Exodus 2:21
Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.
Song of Solomon 1:7–8
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?
Genesis 24:15
Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.

People

Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

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

Industry: Rachel Rachel: Meets Jacob at a Well Sheep: Flocks of Attended by Members of the Family Sheep: Flocks of Watered Every Day Shepherd: Rachel Shepherd: Waters the Flocks Woman: Often Engaged in Tending Sheep Women: Tended Flocks and Herds

Genesis 29:9

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