Genesis 29:4

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

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 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.

6 “Is he doing well?” Jacob asked. “Yes, he’s well,” they answered. “Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the flock now.”