Genesis 29:3

KJV

And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thither were all the flocks {H5739} gathered {H622}: and they rolled {H1556} the stone {H68} from the well's {H875} mouth {H6310}, and watered {H8248} the sheep {H6629}, and put {H7725} the stone {H68} again {H7725} upon the well's {H875} mouth {H6310} in his place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and only when all the flocks had gathered there would they roll the stone away from the opening of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place on the well's opening.

Berean Standard Bible

When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

American Standard Version

And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in its place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 29:3 offers a vivid snapshot of daily life in the ancient Near East, detailing the communal protocols surrounding a vital water source. It describes the gathering of all flocks at a well, the collective effort required by shepherds to roll away a heavy stone covering its mouth, the subsequent watering of their sheep, and the careful replacement of the stone. This seemingly mundane pastoral routine is meticulously portrayed, setting the stage for Jacob's pivotal and divinely orchestrated encounter with Rachel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of Jacob's journey to Haran, a significant turning point after his departure from Beersheba and his profound encounter with God at Bethel, where the Abrahamic covenant was reaffirmed and expanded ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). Having fled Esau's wrath, Jacob is now in a foreign land, seeking refuge and a wife among his mother's kin. The scene at the well immediately precedes his meeting with Rachel, serving as a crucial transitional moment that connects his past divine encounter with his future family and destiny. It establishes the physical setting and the social customs that will facilitate this providential meeting.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, water sources like wells were indispensable for survival, not only for human communities but especially for their livestock. Wells were often communally owned or managed, and their precious water needed protection from evaporation, contamination, and unauthorized use. The practice of covering wells with large, heavy stones, as described here, was a common protective measure. The requirement for "all the flocks" to gather before the stone was moved reflects a communal agreement or customary law, ensuring equitable access and preventing any single shepherd from monopolizing or depleting the water supply. This system fostered cooperation and shared responsibility within the pastoral society.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 29:3 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly ordinary events and daily routines to bring about His purposes, as seen in Jacob's encounter with Rachel at this very well. The verse also underscores the theme of **Stewardship of Resources**, illustrating the careful management and protection of a vital commodity in a harsh environment. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Communal Life and Cooperation**, emphasizing the shared effort and responsibility necessary for the well-being of the community. The well itself functions as a recurring motif in Genesis, often serving as a significant **Place of Encounter and Covenantal Development**, where pivotal relationships are formed and divine promises advanced, echoing similar scenes in [Genesis 24:11-20](/genesis/24-11-20 "Abraham's Servant Meets Rebekah at the Well") and [Exodus 2:15-21](/exodus/2-15-21 "Moses Meets Zipporah at the Well").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **flocks (Hebrew, _ʻêder'_):** This word (H5739) refers to an "arrangement" or "muster of animals," specifically a "drove, flock, or herd." Its use here emphasizes the collective nature of the animals being watered, underscoring the communal gathering of multiple shepherds and their respective livestock.
* **rolled (Hebrew, _gâlal'_):** As a primitive root (H1556), "gâlal" means "to roll (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it denotes the physical action of moving the heavy stone. The verb implies a significant effort, suggesting that the stone was substantial enough to require more than one person, reinforcing the communal aspect of the task.
* **place (Hebrew, _mâqôwm'_):** This term (H4725), properly meaning "a standing" or "a spot," is used broadly for a "locality" or "space." The phrase "in his place" signifies the precise and customary position where the stone was returned, indicating order, established practice, and the restoration of the well's protected state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thither were all the flocks gathered:"** This opening clause establishes the setting and the communal nature of the watering process. It indicates that shepherds did not water their flocks individually or at random times, but rather waited for a designated gathering, implying a shared schedule or agreement among them.
* **"and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth,"** This phrase describes the collective action required. The "stone" (H68, _ʼeben_) covering the "well's mouth" (H6310, _peh_) was evidently large and heavy, necessitating the combined strength of "they," referring to the assembled shepherds. This highlights the physical challenge and the cooperative effort involved in accessing the water.
* **"and watered the sheep,"** Once the barrier was removed, the primary purpose of the gathering was fulfilled: the sheep (H6629, _tsôʼn_) were given water (H8248, _shâqâh_). This was a daily, essential task for the survival and well-being of the livestock in an arid environment.
* **"and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place."** This final clause emphasizes the immediate and careful restoration of the well's protection. The repetition of "put... again" (H7725, _shûwb_) signifies the customary practice of re-covering the well. "In his place" (H4725, _mâqôwm_) denotes the specific, accustomed position, ensuring the well's continued preservation from debris, evaporation, and unauthorized access, thus maintaining the communal system.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its description and thematic depth. **Realism** is prominent, offering a detailed, unvarnished depiction of ancient pastoral life and its practical challenges. The **Repetition** of "the stone" and "the well's mouth" throughout the short verse emphasizes the centrality of these elements to the scene and the routine. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**. The communal gathering and the shared effort to move the stone, leading to the watering of the flocks, sets the stage for Jacob's arrival and his own significant act of rolling the stone for Rachel, which will disrupt and then reshape these established customs, leading to his pivotal encounter and future. The well itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not just a source of physical sustenance but also a nexus for divine encounters and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 29:3, while describing a seemingly ordinary event, subtly reveals profound theological truths. It underscores the concept of divine providence, demonstrating how God's sovereign hand orchestrates even the mundane details of daily life to bring about His greater purposes. The communal effort to access the life-giving water also speaks to the importance of shared responsibility and cooperation within a community, particularly in stewarding vital resources. This echoes a broader biblical principle that God often works through human diligence and communal effort, even as He directs the outcome. The well, as a focal point of gathering and sustenance, serves as a recurring motif for significant encounters and the unfolding of God's plan throughout salvation history.

* [Genesis 24:11-20](/genesis/24-11-20 "Abraham's Servant Meets Rebekah at the Well")
* [Exodus 2:15-21](/exodus/2-15-21 "Moses Meets Zipporah at the Well")
* [John 4:5-15](/john/4-5-15 "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the well in Genesis 29:3 offers profound lessons for contemporary life, highlighting the enduring value of cooperation, shared responsibility, and diligent stewardship. In a world often characterized by individualism and competition, this ancient practice reminds us that some of life's most significant "stones"—whether they be community challenges, family needs, or societal problems—require collective effort to move. It challenges us to look beyond personal gain and embrace the power of unity and mutual aid in managing shared resources, be they environmental, social, or spiritual. Moreover, this verse subtly teaches us to cultivate an attentiveness to God's providential hand in the seemingly ordinary routines of our lives. Just as Jacob's destiny was shaped at this common well, our own paths are often guided by divine orchestration through everyday interactions and responsibilities, calling us to trust that God is at work even in the most mundane moments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones" in your community or personal life require collective effort to move, and how can you contribute to that shared responsibility?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to see God's providence at work in the ordinary, daily routines of your own life?**
* **In what ways can you better steward the resources (time, talent, material possessions) that God has entrusted to you, reflecting the communal care demonstrated at the well?**

### FAQ
**Why was a large stone used to cover the well, and why did it require collective effort to move?**

Answer: The use of a large stone to cover the well served multiple crucial purposes in the ancient Near East. Primarily, it protected the precious water source from contamination by debris, sand, or animals. In an arid climate, it also significantly reduced evaporation, preserving the limited water supply. Furthermore, its substantial weight, often requiring the combined strength of several shepherds to move, enforced a communal agreement or custom. This ensured regulated and equitable access to the water, preventing any single individual from monopolizing or depleting the well. It underscored the shared responsibility of the community for this vital resource, fostering cooperation among shepherds as they awaited the gathering of all flocks before watering could commence, as seen in [Genesis 29:7-8](/genesis/29-7-8 "Jacob's Question to the Shepherds").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 29:3 describes a physical well providing literal water for flocks, it profoundly foreshadows Christ as the ultimate source of spiritual "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "Jesus Offers Living Water to the Samaritan Woman")). Just as the well was indispensable for the physical life of the sheep, Jesus declares Himself to be the essential sustenance for the spiritual life of humanity, inviting all who thirst to come to Him and drink ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "Rivers of Living Water Flow from Within")). The communal gathering around the well and the shared effort to access its life-giving water can be seen as a beautiful type of the New Covenant community, the Church. In Christ, the barrier to God's life-giving presence, which was once a heavy stone of sin and separation, has been rolled away by His sacrificial work on the cross ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Access to God Through Christ")). Now, believers collectively draw from Christ, the wellspring of salvation, and are empowered by His Spirit to share this spiritual nourishment with one another and with a thirsty world ([Revelation 22:17](/revelation/22-17 "The Spirit and the Bride Say, 'Come!'")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.