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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:1-8

1. We are here told how cheerfully he proceeded in his journey after the sweet communion he had with God at Beth-el: Then Jacob lifted up his feet; so the margin reads it, Gen. 29:1. Then he went on with cheerfulness and alacrity, not burdened with his cares, nor cramped with his fears, being assured of God's gracious presence with him. Note, After the visions we have had of God, and the vows we have made to him in solemn ordinances, we should run the way of his commandments with enlarged... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:9-14

Here we see, 1. Rachel's humility and industry: She kept her father's sheep (Gen. 29:9), that is, she took the care of them, having servants under her that were employed about them. Rachel's name signifies a sheep. Note, Honest useful labour is that which nobody needs be ashamed of, nor ought it to be a hindrance to any one's preferment. 2. Jacob's tenderness and affection. When he understood that this was his kinswoman (probably he had heard of her name before), knowing what his errand was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:8

And they said, we cannot ,.... That is, water the sheep; either because the stone was a great one, as Jarchi observes, and therefore used to be removed by the joint strength of all the shepherds when they came together, though Jacob rolled it away of himself afterwards; but this is imputed to his great strength: or rather it was a custom that obtained among them, or an agreement made between them, that the stone should not be removed from the mouth of the well, and any flock watered: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:9

And while he yet spake with them ,.... While Jacob was thus discoursing with the shepherds: Rachel came with her father's sheep ; to water them at the well. She was within sight when Jacob first addressed the shepherds, but now she was come to the well, or near it, with the sheep before her: for she kept them : or "she was the shepherdess" F4 כי רעה הוא "quia pastor illa", Montanus, "pastrix", Schmidt. ; the chief one; she might have servants under her to do some parts of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:10

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban his mother's brother ,.... Coming with her flock towards the well, and for whom and whose flock only the shepherds might be waiting: and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother ; wherefore out of respect to him and his, he being so nearly allied to him, it was that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth , either with the help of the shepherds, or of himself by his own strength; which the Jewish... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:8

We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together - It is a rule that the stone shall not be removed till all the shepherds and the flocks which have a right to this well be gathered together; then, and not before, we may water the sheep. See note on Genesis 29:3 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:9

Rachel came with her father's sheep - So we find that young women were not kept concealed in the house till the time they were married, which is the common gloss put on עלמה almah , a virgin, one concealed. Nor was it beneath the dignity of the daughters of the most opulent chiefs to carry water from the well, as in the case of Rebekah; or tend sheep, as in the case of Rachel. The chief property in those times consisted in flocks: and who so proper to take care of them as those who were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:10

Jacob went near, and rolled the stone - Probably the flock of Laban was the last of those which had a right to the well; that flock being now come, Jacob assisted the shepherds to roll off the stone, (for it is not likely he did it by himself), and so assisted his cousin, to whom he was as yet unknown, to water her flock. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:1-14

Jacob at the well of Haran: a romantic adventure. I. JACOB 'S MEETING WITH THE SHEPHERDS . 1. The providential discovery . The well in the field with the three flocks of sheep lying by it enabled Jacob to ascertain his whereabouts, and ultimately led to his finding Rachel. God guides the steps of his people without interfering with the ordinary course of nature, simply directing them m the exercise of sense and intelligence; and doubtless Jacob recognized in his, lighting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:1-35

Jacob among his mother's kindred. Taught by experience to be patient. His own craft reflected in Laban. Lessons to be learned. I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TEACHING OF GOD IN THE INNER MAN AND HIS LEADINGS IN PROVIDENCE . Jacob learned what he needed to learn—dependence, self-humiliation. Saw the evil of selfishness; understood that the Divine purposes must not be identified in our thought with our personal feelings and desires. We must wait on God to know what... read more

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