Genesis 29:4

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And they said, Of Haran [are] we.

And Jacob {H3290} said {H559} unto them, My brethren {H251}, whence {H370} be ye? And they said {H559}, Of Haran {H2771} are we.

Ya'akov said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They answered, "We're from Haran."

โ€œMy brothers,โ€ Jacob asked the shepherds, โ€œwhere are you from?โ€ โ€œWe are from Haran,โ€ they answered.

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

Commentary

Genesis 29:4 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey, capturing his first words upon arriving near Haran, the land of his mother's family. Having fled his brother Esau's wrath and been sent by Isaac to find a wife from Rebekah's kindred, Jacob encounters local shepherds at a well, a common gathering place in the ancient world.

Context

Jacob's journey from Beersheba to Padan-Aram (modern-day Haran) was a solitary one, driven by both flight from his brother Esau's anger and the patriarchal command to find a wife within his own family line (Genesis 28:1-2). After his profound dream at Bethel, where God reiterated His covenant promises (Genesis 28:12-15), Jacob continued his travels. This verse opens the dialogue at the well, a scene that immediately precedes his fateful meeting with Rachel, Laban's daughter, and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Providence: Even in a seemingly mundane conversation, God's hand is guiding Jacob to his destination and the very people he is seeking. This encounter at the well is divinely orchestrated, leading directly to Jacob meeting his future wife, Rachel, as detailed in the verses that follow (Genesis 29:9-10).
  • Search for Kinship and Connection: Jacob's immediate question, "whence [be] ye?", reveals his urgent need to locate his relatives. His address, "My brethren," signifies a desire to establish a friendly, familial connection, characteristic of the hospitality and communal bonds important in ancient nomadic cultures.
  • New Beginnings: This simple inquiry marks the threshold of a significant period in Jacob's life, leading to his marriages, the birth of his children, and the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "whence [be] ye?" translates the Hebrew phrase me'ayin attem (ืžึตืึทื™ึดืŸ ืึทืชึถึผื), which is a direct and practical question about their origin. Jacob's use of "My brethren" translates the Hebrew achai (ืื—ึทื™). While it can mean literal brothers, it's often used as a general term of address for fellow countrymen, associates, or even strangers, indicating a desire for fellowship or common ground. It's a polite and conversational opening, aimed at establishing rapport and gathering information in an unfamiliar place.

Practical Application

Genesis 29:4 reminds us that God's sovereign plan often unfolds through ordinary interactions and daily encounters. It highlights the importance of open communication, the human need for connection, and how seemingly small conversations can lead to significant life changes. Just as Abraham's servant found Rebekah at a well, Jacob's simple question at another well opened the door to his destiny. It encourages us to be mindful of divine providence in our everyday lives, recognizing that God can use even the most common interactions to advance His purposes.

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

  • Genesis 28:10

    ยถ And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

  • Genesis 27:43

    Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

  • Acts 7:2

    And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

  • Acts 7:4

    Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

  • Genesis 24:10

    ยถ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

  • Genesis 11:31

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
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