Genesis 29:6

And he said unto them, [Is] he well? And they said, [He is] well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

And he said {H559} unto them, Is he well {H7965}? And they said {H559}, He is well {H7965}: and, behold, Rachel {H7354} his daughter {H1323} cometh {H935} with the sheep {H6629}.

He asked them, "Are things going well with him?""Yes," they answered, "and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."

“Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.”

And he said unto them, Is it well with him? And they said, It is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Commentary

Genesis 29:6 captures a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey as he arrives in Haran, seeking his uncle Laban. This verse marks his first encounter with Rachel, Laban's daughter, a meeting orchestrated by divine providence.

Context

Having fled from his brother Esau after receiving Isaac's blessing, Jacob was on a journey from Beer-sheba towards Haran, the land of his mother Rebekah's family. He had previously experienced a profound encounter with God at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10-22), where God reaffirmed the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. Upon reaching a well in the field, he encountered shepherds and inquired about Laban, his mother's brother. This verse records their response and the significant arrival of Rachel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Orchestration: The timing of Rachel's arrival with the sheep just as Jacob was speaking to the shepherds is striking, highlighting God's guiding hand in Jacob's life and the unfolding of His plan. This seemingly chance encounter was divinely appointed, leading to a crucial chapter in Israel's history.
  • First Encounter with Rachel: This verse introduces Rachel, who would become Jacob's beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her arrival signals the beginning of a new chapter in Jacob's life, filled with both love and significant challenges, particularly concerning his relationships with Laban and Leah (read about Jacob's service for Rachel in Genesis 29:20).
  • Ancient Greetings and Well-being: The inquiry, "Is he well?" (KJV: "[Is] he well?") reflects a common greeting in ancient Near Eastern culture, inquiring not just about physical health but also about overall prosperity, peace, and wholeness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "well" in this verse is shalom (שלום). While often translated simply as "peace," shalom encompasses a much broader concept of completeness, soundness, welfare, prosperity, and well-being in every aspect of life – physical, material, and spiritual. So, when Jacob asks if Laban is "well," he is inquiring about his overall state of being and prosperity.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's providence often works through seemingly ordinary circumstances and encounters. Just as Jacob's life-altering meeting with Rachel happened at a common well, our own paths are guided by God in ways we may not immediately perceive. It encourages us to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, recognizing that even the mundane moments of life can be significant steps in His divine plan for us. It also highlights the importance of human connection and the simple act of inquiring about another's well-being.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 25:5

    And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

  • Exodus 18:7

    ¶ And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of [their] welfare; and they came into the tent.

  • 2 Samuel 20:9

    And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

  • Genesis 43:27

    And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?

  • Genesis 37:14

    And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

  • 1 Samuel 17:22

    And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
← Back