Genesis 29:8
Genesis 29:8 in Multiple Translations
But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”
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.
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.
And they said, We are not able to do so till all the flocks have come together and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the water-hole; then we will get water for the sheep.
“We can't do that until all the flocks have arrived,” they told him. “Then we roll away the stone from the well and let the sheep drink.”
But they sayde, We may not vntill all the flocks be brought together, and till men rolle the stone from the welles mouth, that we may water the sheepe.
And they say, 'We are not able, till that all the droves be gathered together, and they have rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, and we have watered the flock.'
They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then we will water the sheep.”
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks are collected, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
They answered: We cannot, till all the cattle be gathered together, and we remove the stone from the well’s mouth, that we may water the flocks.
They replied, “No, we cannot do that until all the flocks are gathered here and the stone is removed from the top of the well. After that, we will give water to the sheep.”
But the work-men said, “No, we can’t do that yet. We always wait until all the other work-men come here with their sheep. After that, we will move that big stone that is on top of the water-hole, and then we will get water for our sheep to drink.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 29:8
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Genesis 29:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 29:8
Study Notes — Genesis 29:8
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 29:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
- Sermons on Genesis 29:8
Context — Jacob Meets Rachel
8But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”
9While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, with Laban’s sheep, he went up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark 16:3 | They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” |
| 2 | Luke 24:2 | They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, |
| 3 | Genesis 34:14 | “We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us. |
| 4 | Genesis 43:32 | They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them. |
| 5 | Genesis 29:3 | When 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. |
Genesis 29:8 Summary
This verse explains that the shepherds could not water the sheep until all the flocks were gathered and the stone was rolled away from the well. This was a team effort that required everyone to work together. It's like when we need to work together with others to accomplish a task, as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. By waiting for the right moment and working together, we can achieve great things and demonstrate our trust in God's plan, as described in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the shepherds say they could not water the sheep until all the flocks were gathered?
The shepherds said they could not water the sheep until all the flocks were gathered because it was a collective effort to roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, as seen in Genesis 29:8. This was a practical consideration to ensure all the sheep could be watered at the same time.
What was the purpose of the stone at the mouth of the well?
The stone at the mouth of the well was likely used to prevent the water from being contaminated and to regulate access to the well, as mentioned in Genesis 29:8. This was an important consideration in a desert region where water was scarce.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Jacob and Rachel?
This verse sets the stage for Jacob's meeting with Rachel, as seen in Genesis 29:9-10. It highlights Jacob's initiative and kindness in helping to water the sheep, which ultimately leads to his meeting with Rachel and their subsequent marriage, as described in Genesis 29:18-30.
What can we learn from the shepherds' response to Jacob's suggestion?
The shepherds' response to Jacob's suggestion teaches us about the importance of following established protocols and waiting for the right time to act, as seen in Genesis 29:8. This can be compared to waiting on God's timing, as described in Psalm 27:14, which says to 'wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to wait for the right moment to act, and how did I respond?
- How can I apply the principle of waiting for the right time to act in my own life, and what are some areas where I need to be more patient?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate kindness and initiative, like Jacob did in this verse, in my daily interactions with others?
- How can I trust God's timing in my life, even when it seems like things are not moving forward as quickly as I would like?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:8
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:8
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:8
Sermons on Genesis 29:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 29:6-10 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jacob arriving in a new land and encountering his cousin Rachel. Jacob immediately takes charge and instructs the shepherds on h |
|
A Letter to a Bereaved Brother by John Gifford Bellett | John Gifford Bellett preaches about the abundant joy found in God's presence, as seen in the opening of Luke where angels and filled human vessels express joy in the Holy Ghost. Be |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 44:16-17 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the 44th chapter of Genesis, which tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers have come to Egypt to buy corn, and Joseph tests |


