Genesis 29:4-14

4 Jacob asked the men at the well, "My brothers! Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.
5 "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" Jacob asked them. They answered, "We know [him]."
6 "Is he well?" Jacob asked. "Yes," they said, "and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep."
7 Then Jacob said, "Look, it is still broad daylight. It's not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze."
8 But they replied, "We can't, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well's opening. Then we will water the sheep."
9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
10 As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban's daughter Rachel with his sheep,[a] he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban's sheep.
11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.[b]
12 He told Rachel that he was her father's relative, Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.

Jacob Deceived

13 When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then he took him to his house, and Jacob told him all that had happened.
14 Laban said to him, "Yes, you are my own flesh and blood."[c] After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

Genesis 29:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 29

This chapter informs us of Jacob's coming to a well near Haran, where meeting with some shepherds he inquires after Laban, Ge 29:1-8; and there also with Rachel his daughter, the shepherds made known to him, and acquainted her who he was, Ge 29:9-12; upon which she ran to her father, and told him who was at the well, who went forth and brought him to his house, and kindly entertained him, Ge 29:13,14; with whom he agreed to stay and serve seven years for Rachel his daughter, Ge 29:15-20; at the end of which Jacob demands his wife, but instead of Rachel, Leah was brought to him as his wife, Ge 29:21-25; which being discovered, and complained of, it was proposed he should have Rachel also, provided he would serve yet seven years more, to which he agreed, Ge 29:26-30; and the chapter is concluded with an account of four sons being born to Jacob of Leah, Ge 29:31-35.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Lit with the sheep of Laban his mother's brother
  • [b]. Lit and he lifted his voice and wept
  • [c]. Lit my bone and my flesh
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