Genesis 29:4-14

4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" And they said, "We are from 1Haran."
5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban the 2son 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 3Rachel 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."
9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 Then Jacob 4kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept.
12 Jacob told Rachel that he was a 5relative of her father and that he was Rebekah's son, and 6she ran and told her father.
13 So when 7Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and 8embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Then he related to Laban all these things.
14 Laban said to him, "Surely you are 9my bone and my flesh." And he 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Genesis 28:10
  • 2. Genesis 24:24, 29
  • 3. Exodus 2:16
  • 4. Genesis 33:4
  • 5. Genesis 28:5
  • 6. Genesis 24:28
  • 7. Genesis 24:29-31
  • 8. Genesis 33:4
  • 9. Genesis 2:23; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1; 2 Samuel 19:12, 13

Footnotes 1

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