Genesis 29:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, because she took care of them.

Berean Standard Bible:

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

American Standard Version:

While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And while he yet{H5750} spake{H1696} with them, Rachel{H7354} came{H935} with her father's{H1} sheep{H6629}: for she kept them{H7462}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 2:21

  • And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

Song of Solomon 1:7

  • ¶ Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest [thy flock] to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

Song of Solomon 1:8

  • If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

Exodus 2:15

  • Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Exodus 2:16

  • ¶ Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew [water], and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

Genesis 24:15

  • And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Genesis 29:9

Genesis 29:9 is a verse from the Old Testament that captures a moment within the larger narrative of Jacob's journey and his interactions with his future wife, Rachel. The verse reads, "And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them."

This verse is set within the historical context of the patriarchal narratives, which describe the lives and journeys of the ancestors of the Israelite people. At this point in the story, Jacob has fled from his brother Esau's anger after deceitfully obtaining their father Isaac's blessing. He arrives in Haran, where he meets his cousin Rachel at a well, a common place for social interaction and the finding of wives in the cultural context of the time.

The themes present in this verse include family dynamics, as it is through these interactions that the lineage of Israel is continued. It also touches on the role of women in society at the time, as Rachel is depicted as a shepherdess, a role that was typically assigned to men or younger boys in ancient Near Eastern culture, indicating her industriousness and responsibility. The verse underscores the providential meetings that often occur in the Bible, where significant encounters happen in the course of everyday life, such as drawing water or tending sheep.

Additionally, the verse highlights the importance of hospitality and the customs of the time regarding the care of livestock, which was central to the economy and sustenance of the family. Rachel's role as a shepherdess also foreshadows the future relationship between Jacob and Laban, her father, as Jacob will later work for Laban and tend his flocks, leading to further family dynamics and conflicts that will shape the narrative.

In summary, Genesis 29:9 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob, introducing Rachel, who will become his wife. It reflects the social norms and economic realities of the time, while also emphasizing themes of divine providence, family relationships, and the roles individuals play within their historical and cultural settings.

*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: H5750
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עוֹד
    Transliteration: ʻôwd
    Pronunciation: ode
    Description: or עֹד; from עוּד; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more; again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within).
  2. Strong's Number: H1696
    There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָבַר
    Transliteration: dâbar
    Pronunciation: daw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
  3. 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.
  4. Strong's Number: H935
    There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוֹא
    Transliteration: bôwʼ
    Pronunciation: bo
    Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
  5. Strong's Number: H1
    There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָב
    Transliteration: ʼâb
    Pronunciation: awb
    Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.