And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When Ya'akov saw Rachel the daughter of Lavan his mother's brother, and the sheep of Lavan his mother's brother, Ya'akov went up and rolled the stone away from the opening of the well and watered the flock of Lavan his mother's brother.
Berean Standard Bible:
As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, with Laban’s sheep, he went up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.
American Standard Version:
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
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Commentary for Genesis 29:10
Genesis 29:10 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob, a key patriarch in the Israelite lineage. This verse is set in the ancient Near East, within the cultural context where wells were crucial communal resources for the pastoral lifestyle, necessary for watering livestock. The verse captures the moment Jacob arrives in Haran, having fled from his brother Esau's anger after deceitfully obtaining his father's blessing.
In this verse, Jacob encounters Rachel, his cousin, who is the daughter of Laban, his mother Rebekah's brother. The mention of Laban's sheep alongside Rachel underscores the pastoral economy of the time, emphasizing the importance of familial connections in the social and economic fabric of the society. Jacob's action of rolling the stone away from the well's mouth is significant for several reasons: it demonstrates his physical strength, reflects his initiative and character, and symbolizes the uncovering of life-giving resources, much like the unfolding of his own destiny.
The themes present in this verse include family ties, hospitality, and the providence of God in guiding Jacob to his kin. It also hints at the future romantic relationship between Jacob and Rachel, which will have its own complexities. Historically, this event occurs within the context of the patriarchal narratives, which are foundational to the biblical story, illustrating the beginnings of God's covenant with the Israelites through their ancestors. Jacob's interaction with Rachel and the well is a moment of convergence where personal history, family dynamics, and divine purpose intersect, setting the stage for the next chapter in the biblical saga.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H3290 There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יַעֲקֹב Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe' Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
Strong's Number: H7200 There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָאָה Transliteration: râʼâh Pronunciation: raw-aw' Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
Strong's Number: H7354 There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָחֵל Transliteration: Râchêl Pronunciation: raw-khale' Description: the same as רָחֵל; Rachel, a wife of Jacob; Rachel.
Strong's Number: H1323 There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בַּת Transliteration: bath Pronunciation: bath Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
Strong's Number: H3837 There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: לָבָן Transliteration: Lâbân Pronunciation: law-bawn' Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban.
Strong's Number: H517 There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֵם Transliteration: ʼêm Pronunciation: ame Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting.
Strong's Number: H251 There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָח Transliteration: ʼâch Pronunciation: awkh Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
Strong's Number: H6629 There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: צֹאן Transliteration: tsôʼn Pronunciation: tsone Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
Strong's Number: H5066 There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: נָגַשׁ Transliteration: nâgash Pronunciation: naw-gash' Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand.
Strong's Number: H1556 There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: גָּלַל Transliteration: gâlal Pronunciation: gaw-lal' Description: a primitive root; to roll (literally or figuratively); commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow.
Strong's Number: H68 There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֶבֶן Transliteration: ʼeben Pronunciation: eh'-ben Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
Strong's Number: H875 There are 255 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בְּאֵר Transliteration: bᵉʼêr Pronunciation: be-ayr' Description: from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well.
Strong's Number: H6310 There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: פֶּה Transliteration: peh Pronunciation: peh Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
Strong's Number: H8248 There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁקָה Transliteration: shâqâh Pronunciation: shaw-kaw' Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה.