Genesis 29:10

10 And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.

Genesis 29:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:10

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of
Laban his mother's brother
Coming with her flock towards the well, and for whom and whose flock only the shepherds might be waiting:

and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother;
wherefore out of respect to him and his, he being so nearly allied to him, it was

that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth,
either with the help of the shepherds, or of himself by his own strength; which the Jewish writers F8 say amazed the shepherds, that he should do that himself, which required their united strength. The Targum of Jonathan says, he did it with one of his arms; and Jarchi, that he removed it as easily as a man takes off the lid cover of a pot:

and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother;
this he did partly out of respect to his relations, and partly that he might be taken notice of by Rachel.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36.

Genesis 29:10 In-Context

8 They answered: We cannot, till all the cattle be gathered together, and we remove the stone from the well’s mouth, that we may water the flocks.
9 They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she fed the flock.
10 And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.
11 And having watered the flock, he kissed her: and lifting up his voice wept.
12 And he told her that he was her father’s brother, and the son of Rebecca: but she went in haste and told her father.
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