Genesis 29:5
Genesis 29:5 in Multiple Translations
“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied.
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said to them, Have you any knowledge of Laban, the son of Nahor? And they said, We have.
“Do you know Laban, Nahor's grandson?” he asked. “Yes, we know him,” they replied.
Then he sayd vnto them, Know ye Laban the sonne of Nahor? Who said, We know him.
And he saith to them, 'Have ye known Laban, son of Nahor?' and they say, 'We have known.'
He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”
And he said to them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? and they said, We know him.
And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban the son of Nachor? They said: We know him.
He asked them, “Do you know Laban, the grandson of Nahor?” They replied, “Yes, we know him.”
Then Jacob said, “Do you know Laban? His grand-father’s name is Nahor.” The work-men said, “Yes, we know him.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 29:5
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 29:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
לָ/הֶ֔ם
הַ/יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם
אֶת
לָבָ֣ן
בֶּן
נָח֑וֹר
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
יָדָֽעְנוּ
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
הַ/יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Part | V-Qal-Perf-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
לָבָ֣ן
Lâbân
H3837
Laban
N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
נָח֑וֹר
Nâchôwr
H5152
Nahor
N-proper
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
יָדָֽעְנוּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
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 29:5
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
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/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
הַ/יְדַעְתֶּ֖ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Part | V-Qal-Perf-2mp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לָבָ֣ן
Lâbân
H3837
"Laban"
N-proper
Refers to Laban, a person in the Bible, or a place in the desert where the Israelites camped.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29; son of: Bethuel (H1328A); brother of: Rebekah (H7259); father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812) § Laban = "white" son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Laban. See also: Genesis 24:29; Genesis 30:40; Deuteronomy 1:1.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
נָח֑וֹר
Nâchôwr
H5152
"Nahor"
N-proper
Nahor was Abraham's grandfather and brother, living during the time of the Patriarchs. He was a son of Terah and had several children of his own. Nahor is mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Abraham (H0085), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Milcah (H4435) and Reumah (H7208); father of: Uz (H5780H), Buz (H0938), Kemuel (H7055), Chesed (H3777), Hazo (H2375), Pildash (H6394), Jidlaph (H3044), Bethuel (H1328A), Tebah (H2875), Gaham (H1514), Tahash (H8477) and Maacah (H4601) § Nahor = "snorting" 1) son of Serug, father of Terah, and grandfather of Abraham 2) son of Terah and brother of Abraham
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Nahor. See also: Genesis 11:22; Genesis 22:23; 1 Chronicles 1:26.
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
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.
יָדָֽעְנוּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
Study Notes — Genesis 29:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 29:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:5
Context — Jacob Meets Rachel
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.” 7“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 24:24 | She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” |
| 2 | Genesis 24:29 | Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. |
| 3 | Genesis 31:53 | May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. |
Genesis 29:5 Summary
In Genesis 29:5, Jacob asks the shepherds if they know his uncle Laban, showing that he is trying to find out more about his family and build connections with others. This verse teaches us the importance of being curious and interested in others, as well as building relationships and establishing connections, as seen in Genesis 29:4-5 and John 4:7-9. By being inquisitive and showing genuine interest, we can, like Jacob, open doors to new experiences and opportunities, and further God's plans and purposes in our lives, as seen in Genesis 28:15. This approach can also help us to be more like Jesus, who showed interest in others and built relationships with them, as seen in John 4:1-42.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob ask the shepherds if they knew Laban?
Jacob asked the shepherds if they knew Laban because he was trying to find out if they were familiar with his uncle, as stated in Genesis 29:5, and to establish a connection with them, as seen in Genesis 27:43 where Jacob was sent to live with Laban.
Who is Laban in the Bible?
Laban is the grandson of Nahor, as mentioned in Genesis 29:5, and the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's mother, as seen in Genesis 24:29, making him Jacob's uncle.
What can we learn from Jacob's approach to the shepherds?
We can learn from Jacob's approach that it's essential to build relationships and establish connections with others, as seen in Genesis 29:4-5, and to be inquisitive about people's lives, as Jacob was, to show genuine interest and care for them, similar to Jesus' approach in John 4:7-9.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Jacob?
This verse sets the stage for Jacob's encounter with Rachel, Laban's daughter, in Genesis 29:6, and ultimately leads to Jacob's time living with Laban, as seen in Genesis 29:14-30, which is a significant part of Jacob's journey and growth in faith, as seen in Genesis 28:15 and Genesis 32:24-33:17.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from Jacob's curiosity and initiative in approaching the shepherds, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- How can I, like Jacob, use everyday conversations to build connections and establish relationships with others, and what role can that play in sharing my faith?
- What role does family and relational connections play in my own life, and how can I, like Jacob, use those connections to further God's plans and purposes, as seen in Genesis 28:15?
- How can I balance being inquisitive and interested in others, like Jacob, with being respectful of their time and boundaries, as seen in Matthew 7:12?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:5
And he said unto them, know ye Laban the son of Nahor?.... He was the son of Bethuel, and grandson of Nahor; grandsons being called the sons of their grandfather; and Nahor might be more known than
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:5
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.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
Genesis 29:5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know [him]. Ver. 5.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
(5) Laban the son of Nahor.—Laban was really the son of Bethuel and grandson of Nahor; but Nahor was the founder of the family, as being the original immigrant from Ur, who came to supply Abraham’s place on his departure.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:5
Verse 5. Laban the son of Nahor] Son is here put for grandson, for Laban was the son of Bethuel the son of Nahor.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:5
5. Laban … of Nahor] See note on Genesis 24:15. In Genesis 24:24 Rebekah is daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor. In Genesis 24:29 ff. Laban is Rebekah’s brother. Here he is son of Nahor. It is possible that the tradition, followed here and in chap. 24, differs from that of the genealogy in Genesis 22:20-23; or that Nahor is mentioned as more famous than Bethuel his son. Cf. Jehu who is called “son of Nimshi” (2 Kings 9:20), though, in reality, his grandson (2 Kings 9:2; 2 Kings 9:14).