Genesis 29:4

4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

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 As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying there beside it; for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large,

3 and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" They said, "We do."

6 He said to them, "Is it well with him?" "Yes," they replied, "and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with the sheep."