Genesis 29:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know [him].

Complete Jewish Bible:

He asked them, "Do you know Lavan the [grand]son of Nachor?" They said, "We do."

Berean Standard Bible:

“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied.

American Standard Version:

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559} unto them, Know^{H3045} ye Laban^{H3837} the son^{H1121} of Nahor^{H5152}? And they said^{H559}, We know^{H3045} him.

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Commentary for Genesis 29:5

1. **Themes:**
- **Journey and Destiny:** The verse is part of Jacob's journey to Haran, which is both a physical quest for a wife and a flight from his brother Esau's anger, as well as a fulfillment of his destiny as part of the covenant God made with Abraham and Isaac.
- **Divine Providence:** Jacob's encounter with the shepherds at the well suggests a divinely orchestrated meeting that leads him to his uncle Laban, reinforcing the theme of God's guidance in the patriarchs' lives.
- **Family and Relationships:** The question about Laban indicates the importance of family connections and alliances in the ancient world, which are central to the narrative of Genesis.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events of Genesis 29 likely occurred in the late Bronze Age, around the 2nd millennium BCE, during the period of the patriarchs.
- **Cultural Practices:** Hospitality and the importance of family ties were crucial in the Near Eastern culture of the time. Marriages were often arranged within families to maintain relationships and property rights.
- **Geographical Setting:** Haran was a significant city in Mesopotamia, an important crossroads for trade and travel, and it was the home of Abraham's family before they migrated to Canaan. Jacob's arrival in Haran thus represents a return to his familial roots.
- **Ancestral Connections:** Laban, the son of Nahor, is Jacob's maternal uncle, and Nahor was Abraham's brother. This connection highlights the lineage and ancestry themes that run throughout the book of Genesis.

In summary, Genesis 29:5 reflects themes of divine guidance, family connections, and the fulfillment of destiny within the historical context of ancient Near Eastern customs and the patriarchal narratives of Genesis. Jacob's inquiry about Laban sets the stage for the unfolding story of his marriage to Leah and Rachel and his eventual return to Canaan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5152
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָחוֹר
   Transliteration: Nâchôwr
   Pronunciation: naw-khore'
   Description: from the same as נַחַר; snorer; Nochor, the name of the grandfather and a brother of Abraham; Nahor.