Genesis 29:4

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

Genesis 29:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:4

And Jacob said unto them
To the shepherds, though not expressly mentioned; it cannot be imagined he spoke to the flocks, but to the keepers of them: my brethren, whence [be] ye?
a kind and affable way of speaking, used even to strangers, since all men are brethren by nature; or might be used by Jacob, because they were of the same occupation with himself, shepherds, asking them of what city they were, and from whence they came? and which being answered, would lead on to a conversation, which was what he wanted: and they said, of Haran [are] we;
the very place he was bound for, and was sent unto, ( Genesis 27:43 ) ( 28:10 ) .

Genesis 29:4 In-Context

2 There he saw a well in the field. Three flocks of sheep were lying near it. The flocks were given water from the well. The stone over the opening of the well was large.

3 All of the flocks would gather there. The shepherds would roll the stone away from the well's opening. They would give water to the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place over the opening of the well.

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

5 He said to them, "Do you know Nahor's grandson Laban?" "Yes, we know him," they answered.

6 Then Jacob asked them, "How is he?" "He's fine," they said. "Here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep now."