Genesis 29:4
Genesis 29:4 in Multiple Translations
“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
Then Jacob said to the herdmen, My brothers, where do you come from? And they said, From Haran.
Jacob asked them, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We're from Haran,” they replied.
And Iaakob sayde vnto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they answered, We are of Haran.
And Jacob saith to them, 'My brethren, from whence [are] ye?' and they say, 'We [are] from Haran.'
Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”
And Jacob said to them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, We are from Haran.
And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.
On that day, Jacob asked the shepherds who were sitting there, “Where are you from?” They replied, “We are from Haran.”
Jacob went and talked to those work-men. He said, “Hello. Where do you mob come from?” The work-men said, “We are from Haran.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 29:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 29:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
לָ/הֶם֙
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
אַחַ֖/י
מֵ/אַ֣יִן
אַתֶּ֑ם
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
מֵ/חָרָ֖ן
אֲנָֽחְנוּ
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶם֙
Prep | Suff
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
אַחַ֖/י
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-mp | Suff
מֵ/אַ֣יִן
ʼayin
H370
where?
Prep | Part
אַתֶּ֑ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מֵ/חָרָ֖ן
Chârân
H2771
Haran
Prep | N-proper
אֲנָֽחְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
we
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 29:4
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ/הֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
אַחַ֖/י
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
מֵ/אַ֣יִן
ʼayin
H370
"where?"
Prep | Part
Ayin is a Hebrew word that means 'where' or 'whence'. It's used in many Bible verses, including Genesis 3:9 and Exodus 2:13, to ask about a location or origin.
Definition: where?, whence?
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: whence, where. See also: Genesis 29:4; 2 Kings 20:14; Psalms 121:1.
אַתֶּ֑ם
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
מֵ/חָרָ֖ן
Chârân
H2771
"Haran"
Prep | N-proper
Charan refers to a man and a place in the Bible, including a descendant of Judah and a city. In 1 Chronicles 2:46, Charan is mentioned as a son of Caleb.
Definition: Haran = "mountaineer" the city to which Abraham migrated when he left Ur of the Chaldees and where he stayed until his father died before leaving for the promised land; located in Mesopotamia in Padan-aram at the foot of Mount Masius between the Khabour and the Euphrates Also named: Charran (Χαρράν "Haran" G5488)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Haran. See also: Genesis 11:31; Genesis 28:10; Isaiah 37:12.
אֲנָֽחְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
"we"
Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
Study Notes — Genesis 29:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 29:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:4
- Sermons on Genesis 29:4
Context — Jacob Meets Rachel
2He 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.
3When 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.
4“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.
5“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied. 6“Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 28:10 | Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. |
| 2 | Genesis 27:43 | So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. |
| 3 | Acts 7:2 | And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, |
| 4 | Genesis 24:10 | Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. |
| 5 | Acts 7:4 | So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living. |
| 6 | Genesis 11:31 | And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there. |
Genesis 29:4 Summary
[In Genesis 29:4, Jacob shows us the importance of being friendly and curious when meeting new people. He asks the shepherds where they are from, which helps him establish a connection and gather information about the area. This is similar to how Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, as seen in Matthew 22:39. By being open and inquiring, Jacob is able to learn more about the shepherds and their community, and this helps him on his journey.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob ask the shepherds where they were from?
Jacob asked the shepherds where they were from to establish a connection and gather information about the area, as seen in Genesis 29:4, and this curiosity is reminiscent of his mother Rebekah's actions in Genesis 24:23-25, where she inquired about the stranger's identity.
What is the significance of Haran in the Bible?
Haran is a city in the region of Paddan-aram, and it holds significance as the place where Jacob's relatives lived, including Laban, as mentioned in Genesis 29:4, and it is also the place where Abraham's brother Nahor settled, as seen in Genesis 11:27-32.
How does Jacob's interaction with the shepherds reflect his character?
Jacob's interaction with the shepherds in Genesis 29:4 shows his friendly and inquiring nature, which is also evident in his conversation with the steward in Genesis 24:29-60, and this openness to conversation is a characteristic of Jacob's personality that will be seen throughout his journey.
What can we learn from Jacob's approach to meeting new people?
We can learn from Jacob's approach in Genesis 29:4 that being friendly and inquiring can help establish connections and build relationships, as seen in Proverbs 18:24, which says that a man who has friends must be friendly, and this principle is also reflected in Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves, as stated in Matthew 22:39.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from Jacob's example about being open to meeting new people and starting conversations?
- How can I apply the principle of being friendly and inquiring in my own relationships, as seen in Jacob's interaction with the shepherds?
- What are some ways I can show kindness and curiosity to those around me, just as Jacob did in Genesis 29:4?
- How can I use my conversations with others to gather information and build connections, just as Jacob did in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:4
And Jacob said unto them,.... To the shepherds, though not expressly mentioned; it cannot be imagined he spoke to the flocks, but to the keepers of them: my brethren, whence [be] ye?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:4
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. Jacob said ... My brethren ... Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? He was the grandson of Nahor.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
He calls them my brethren, partly in token of respect and affection, and partly because they were of the same nature and employment with himself.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
Genesis 29:4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And they said, Of Haran [are] we.Ver. 4. And Jacob said.] These petty passages are recorded, when the acts of mighty monarchs are unmentioned; to show God’ s dear respect to his poor servants. The lion and eagle were not offered in sacrifice as the lamb and dove were. Mr Fox being asked, whether he knew such an honest poor man, answered, I remember him well: I tell you, I forget lords and ladies, to remember such. So doth God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:4
Verse 4. My brethren, whence be ye?] The language of Laban and his family was Chaldee and not Hebrew; (see Genesis 31:47); but from the names which Leah gave to her children we see that the two languages had many words in common, and therefore Jacob and the shepherds might understand each other with little difficulty. It is possible also that Jacob might have learned the Chaldee or Aramitish language from his mother, as this was his mother's tongue.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:4
4. unto them] i.e. the shepherds of the three flocks mentioned in Genesis 29:2. Of Haran] See Genesis 27:43. There is nothing to shew whether Haran, the town, was near or far off.
Sermons on Genesis 29:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Men Who Met God): Jacob Had an Encounter With God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the character of Jacob from the Bible. He describes Jacob as a man with a streak of avarice and larceny. The preacher emphasizes the need to |
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(John - Part 19): The Lord and the Woman at the Well by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking God and finding Him in our lives. He uses the analogy of God being three blocks up, and encourages the audience to |
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The Mind of Christ by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the wonders of God's love and the worthlessness of man. He emphasizes that although man is at the bottom, God did not leave him there. The |
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Judging Angels by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by encouraging the congregation to let go of old debts and grievances and experience the freedom that comes from forgiveness. He then moves on t |
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(Genesis) Genesis 46:1-3 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and how he initially did not seek God's guidance in his life. Jacob made his own decisions and only turned to God on Sunda |
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(Genesis) Genesis 46:4-7 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three spiritual periods in the life of Jacob, which can be applicable to many believers today. The first period is when Jacob lived somewh |
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The Dreadful Places of Blessing by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of walking in the presence of God and bringing joy to heaven. The sermon also includes a segment on baby dedication, where ba |