Genesis 29:1-8

Jacob Meets Rachel

1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of ¹the sons of the east.

2 He looked, and saw ²a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large.

3 When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" And they said, "We are from ³Haran."

5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban the ⁴son of Nahor?" And they said, "We know him."

6 And he said to them, "Is it well with him?" And they said, "It is well, and here is ⁵Rachel his daughter coming with the sheep."

7 He said, "Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them."

8 But they said, "We cannot *, until * all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep."

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Genesis 29:1-8 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 5

1. Judges 6:3, 33
2. Genesis 24:10, 11; Exodus 2:15, 16
3. Genesis 28:10
4. Genesis 24:24, 29
5. Exodus 2:16

Footnotes 2

[a]. Lit "lifted up his feet"
[b]. Lit "behold"