Genesis 29:3

3 When all the flocks^[a] 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.

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 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] Sam, some LXX mss read flocks and the shepherds