Genesis 29:3

3 When all the flocks would gather there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place.

Genesis 29:3 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:3

And thither were all the flocks gathered
The three above mentioned, ( Genesis 29:2 ) : and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the
sheep;
that is, when they watered the sheep, they used to roll away the stone from the mouth of the well in order to do it; for as yet the flocks, now lying by it, had not been watered, as appears from ( Genesis 29:7 Genesis 29:8 ) : and put a stone upon the well's mouth in this place;
this they were wont to do every time they watered the flocks.

Genesis 29:3 In-Context

1 Then Jacob continued his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.

2 He looked and saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying nearby, because they drank water from this well. A large stone covered the mouth of the well.

3 When all the flocks would gather there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place.

4 Jacob said to the shepherds there, "My brothers, where are you from?" They answered, "We are from Haran."

5 Then Jacob asked, "Do you know Laban, grandson of Nahor?" They answered, "We know him."