And he said, Lo, [it is] yet high day, neither [is it] time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go [and] feed [them].
Complete Jewish Bible:
He said, "Look, there's still plenty of daylight left; and it isn't time to bring the animals home; so water the sheep; then go, and put them out to pasture."
Berean Standard Bible:
“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”
American Standard Version:
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
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Commentary for Genesis 29:7
1. Themes:
- Hospitality and Courtesy: The verse reflects the cultural expectation of providing for guests, as Jacob is greeted with instructions to care for his sheep, indicating an offer of hospitality.
- Divine Providence: The encounter is part of a larger narrative where Jacob's journey is guided by divine providence, leading him to his relatives and future wives.
- Work and Responsibility: The verse emphasizes the daily responsibilities of shepherds, which includes watering and feeding the sheep at the appropriate time.
2. Historical Context:
- Genesis 29:7 is set within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives, specifically the story of Jacob. Jacob has traveled to Haran to escape the wrath of his brother Esau and to find a wife from his mother's family.
- The verse occurs when Jacob arrives in Haran and meets his cousin Rachel at a well. The timing of the day is noted as still high day (midday), indicating that it is not yet time for the evening gathering of the cattle, a daily routine for shepherds.
- The practice of gathering cattle in the evening is consistent with ancient Near Eastern shepherding customs, where flocks were typically watered and then grazed in the cooler parts of the day.
- Jacob's arrival and interaction at the well is a common motif in the Bible, often associated with significant meetings or events, such as finding a spouse or receiving divine revelation.
- The verse captures the moment before Jacob's life takes a significant turn, as he is about to enter into the service of his uncle Laban and eventually marry Rachel and Leah, furthering the lineage that will become the nation of Israel.
*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: 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.
Strong's Number: H2005 There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: הֵן Transliteration: hên Pronunciation: hane Description: a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if; behold, if, lo, though.
Strong's Number: H1419 There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: גָּדוֹל Transliteration: gâdôwl Pronunciation: gaw-dole' Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
Strong's Number: H3117 There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יוֹם Transliteration: yôwm Pronunciation: yome Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
Strong's Number: H6256 There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֵת Transliteration: ʻêth Pronunciation: ayth Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.
Strong's Number: H4735 There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִקְנֶה Transliteration: miqneh Pronunciation: mik-neh' Description: from קָנָה; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition; cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance.
Strong's Number: H622 There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָסַף Transliteration: ʼâçaph Pronunciation: aw-saf' Description: a primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.); assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw.
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.
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: H3212 There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָלַךְ Transliteration: yâlak Pronunciation: yaw-lak' Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
Strong's Number: H7462 There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָעָה Transliteration: râʻâh Pronunciation: raw-aw' Description: a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend); [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.