Genesis 29
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge has provided a cross-reference resource for Bible students worldwide for generations. This highly respected and nearly exhaustive compilation was developed by R.A. Torrey from references in Thomas Scott's Commentary and the Comprehensive Bible. With nearly 500,000 cross-references it is the most thorough source available.
-
Introduction
1 Jacob comes to the well of Haran.
9 He becomes acquainted with Rachel.
13 Laban entertains him.
18 Jacob covenants for Rachel.
23 He is deceived by Laban with Leah.
28 He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.
32 Leah bears Reuben;
33 Simeon;
34 Levi;
35 and Judah.
Verse 1
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
Jacob
Psalms 119:32,60; Ecclesiastes 9:7
went on his journey
Heb. lifted up his feet. came.
22:20-23; 24:10; 25:20; 28:5-7; Numbers 23:7; Judges 6:3,33; 7:12; 8:10; 1 Kings 4:30; Hosea 12:12
people
Heb. children. east. The district of Mesopotamia, and the whole country beyond the Euphrates, are called Kedem, or the East, in the Sacred Writings.
Verse 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.
a well
24:11,13; Exodus 2:15,16; John 4:6,14
there
Psalms 23:2; Song of Solomon 1:6,7; Isaiah 49:10; Revelation 7:17
a great stone
In Arabia, and other places in the East, they cover up their wells of water, lest the sand, which is put in motion by the winds, should fill and quite stop them up. So great was their care not to leave the well open any length of time, that they waited till the flocks were all gathered together before they began to draw water; and when they had finished, the well was immediately closed again.
Verse 3
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.
the flocks
Instead of haadarim, "the flocks," the Samaritan reads haroin, "the shepherds," as does also the Arabic in Walton's Polyglott. This verse describes what was usually done by some mutual compact among the shepherds, and shows the purpose for which the flocks lay by the well; for the stone was not removed till all the flocks had been collected. Scott.
Verse 4
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
Of Haran
11:31; 24:10; 27:43; 28:10; Acts 7:2,4
Charran
Verse 5
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
son of
24:24,29; 31:53
Verse 6
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
Is he well? Heb
there peace to him?
37:14; 43:27; Exodus 18:7; 1 Samuel 17:22; 25:5; 2 Samuel 20:9
Verse 7
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
Lo
Galatians 6:9,10; Ephesians 5:16
it is yet high day
Heb. yet the day is great.
Verse 8
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
until
3; 34:14; 43:32
roll
Mark 16:3; Luke 24:2
Verse 9
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
Rachel
24:15; Exodus 2:15,16,21; Song of Solomon 1:7,8
for she kept them
In those primitive times, a pastoral life was not only considered useful but honourable: nor was it beneath the dignity of the daughters of the most opulent chiefs to carry water from the well, or tend the sheep. Jacob, Moses, and David were shepherds.
Verse 10
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
rolled
Exodus 2:17