Genesis 29:4

4 Jacob asked some people, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

Genesis 29:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:4

And Jacob said unto them
To the shepherds, though not expressly mentioned; it cannot be imagined he spoke to the flocks, but to the keepers of them: my brethren, whence [be] ye?
a kind and affable way of speaking, used even to strangers, since all men are brethren by nature; or might be used by Jacob, because they were of the same occupation with himself, shepherds, asking them of what city they were, and from whence they came? and which being answered, would lead on to a conversation, which was what he wanted: and they said, of Haran [are] we;
the very place he was bound for, and was sent unto, ( Genesis 27:43 ) ( 28:10 ) .

Genesis 29:4 In-Context

2 He looked around, and out in a field he saw a well with a large stone over the opening. Three flocks of sheep were lying down near it, because the flocks were watered from that well.

3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the stone would be rolled off the opening of the well so that the sheep could be watered. Then the stone would be put back in place over the opening of the well.

4 Jacob asked some people, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

5 He asked them, "Do you know Laban, Nahor's grandson?" They answered, "We do."

6 "How is he doing?" Jacob asked them. "He's fine," they answered. "Here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."