Genesis 29:1

Jacob Meets Rachel

1 Jacob resumed his journey^[a] and went to the eastern country.^[b]

Genesis 29:1 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:1

Then Jacob went on his journey
After the above vow at Bethel, and having had some intimation that what he desired would be granted him; or "he lift up his feet" ^F24, which not only shows that he walked afoot, but that he went on his journey with great cheerfulness; for having such gracious promises made him, that God would be with him, and keep him, and supply him with all necessaries, and return him again to the land of Canaan, which made his heart glad; his heart, as the Jewish writers say ^F25, lift up his legs, and he walked apace, and with great alacrity: and came into the land of the people of the east;
the land of Mesopotamia or Syria, which lay to the east of the land of Canaan, see ( Isaiah 9:11 ) ; hither he came by several days' journeys.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 (wylgr-avyw) "et levavit pedes suos", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Fagius; "sustulit", Drusius, Schmidt.
F25 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 70. fol. 62. 2. Jarchi in loc.

Genesis 29:1 In-Context

1 Jacob resumed his journey and went to the eastern country.

2 He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. A large stone covered the opening of the well.

3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the [shepherds] would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep. The stone was then placed back on the well's opening.

4 Jacob asked the men at the well, "My brothers! Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.

5 "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" Jacob asked them. They answered, "We know [him]."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit Jacob picked up his feet
• [b]. Lit the land of the children of the east