Genesis 29:2

And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there [were] three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone [was] upon the well's mouth.

And he looked {H7200}, and behold a well {H875} in the field {H7704}, and, lo, there were three {H7969} flocks {H5739} of sheep {H6629} lying {H7257} by it; for out of that well {H875} they watered {H8248} the flocks {H5739}: and a great {H1419} stone {H68} was upon the well's {H875} mouth {H6310}.

As he looked, he saw a well in a field; and there were three flocks of sheep lying there next to it; because they watered the sheep from that well. The stone on the well's mouth was large,

He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well.

And he looked, and, behold, a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep lying there by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and the stone upon the wellโ€™s mouth was great.

Commentary

Genesis 29:2 describes Jacob's arrival at a significant location in Haran, immediately before his pivotal encounter with Rachel. This verse sets the scene, detailing the critical resource of a well and the communal practices surrounding its use in ancient pastoral life.

Context of the Verse

Having fled from his brother Esau and journeyed from Beersheba, Jacob is now in the land of the people of the east, near Haran, where his mother Rebekah's family resides. His arrival at this well is not accidental, but part of God's providential leading, as promised to Jacob in Genesis 28:15. Wells were vital lifelines in the arid regions of the ancient Near East, serving not only as water sources for livestock and people but also as natural gathering places. This specific well is depicted with three flocks waiting to be watered, indicating a common practice of shared resources and timed access.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Guidance: Jacob is led directly to this well, which will prove to be the site of his first meeting with his future wife, Rachel. It highlights how God orchestrates circumstances even in seemingly ordinary moments.
  • Communal Life and Cooperation: The presence of "three flocks of sheep" and the "great stone upon the well's mouth" points to a system of communal watering. The stone was too heavy for one person to move, requiring multiple shepherds to cooperate, typically waiting for all flocks to gather before rolling it away. This illustrates the interdependence common in ancient pastoral societies.
  • Resource Management: The heavy stone also served practical purposes: preventing excessive evaporation, keeping the water clean from debris, and ensuring equitable distribution of the precious resource.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "well" is be'er (ื‘ึผึฐืึตืจ), referring to a dug pit or spring, a crucial source of water in a desert environment. The phrase "great stone" ('eben gedolah) emphasizes its significant size and weight, underscoring the collective effort required to access the water. This detail prepares the reader for Jacob's remarkable feat in Genesis 29:10, where he single-handedly rolls the stone away.

Practical Application

Genesis 29:2 reminds us that God's providence extends to the mundane details of life. Just as Jacob was led to this well, we can trust that God guides our steps, even when we are simply going about daily tasks. The scene also highlights the importance of community and cooperation, reminding us that there are times when collective effort is necessary to overcome obstacles and share resources. It speaks to the value of patience and observation, as Jacob waits and watches before interacting with the shepherds and, subsequently, Rachel. This setting, similar to other biblical narratives like Rebekah's encounter at the well, underscores the significance of these public gathering places in biblical times.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 4:6

    Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with [his] journey, sat thus on the well: [and] it was about the sixth hour.

  • Isaiah 49:10

    They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

  • Song Of Solomon 1:6

    Look not upon me, because I [am] black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; [but] mine own vineyard have I not kept.

  • Song Of Solomon 1:7

    ยถ 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?

  • Genesis 24:11

    And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that women go out to draw [water].

  • 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

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