Genesis 29:8

8 qui responderunt non possumus donec omnia pecora congregentur et amoveamus lapidem de ore putei ut adaquemus greges

Genesis 29:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:8

And they said, we cannot
That is, water the sheep; either because the stone was a great one, as Jarchi observes, and therefore used to be removed by the joint strength of all the shepherds when they came together, though Jacob rolled it away of himself afterwards; but this is imputed to his great strength: or rather it was a custom that obtained among them, or an agreement made between them, that the stone should not be removed from the mouth of the well, and any flock watered,

until all the flocks be gathered together;
and therefore they could not fairly and rightly do it, without violating the law and custom among them:

and [till] they roll the stone from the well's mouth;
that is, the shepherds of the several flocks:

then we water the sheep;
and not till then.

Genesis 29:8 In-Context

6 sanusne est inquit valet inquiunt et ecce Rahel filia eius venit cum grege suo

7 dixitque Iacob adhuc multum diei superest nec est tempus ut reducantur ad caulas greges date ante potum ovibus et sic ad pastum eas reducite

8 qui responderunt non possumus donec omnia pecora congregentur et amoveamus lapidem de ore putei ut adaquemus greges

9 adhuc loquebantur et ecce Rahel veniebat cum ovibus patris sui nam gregem ipsa pascebat

10 quam cum vidisset Iacob et sciret consobrinam suam ovesque Laban avunculi sui amovit lapidem quo puteus claudebatur