Genesis 29:1

1 Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east.

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.

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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 Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east.

2 He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside it, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well.

3 It was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to arrive before removing the stone and watering the animals. Afterward the stone would be placed back over the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.

5 “Do you know a man there named Laban, the grandson of Nahor?” he asked. “Yes, we do,” they replied.