291 Then Jacob went on his journey , and came to the land of the sons of the east . 2 He looked , and saw a well in the field , and behold , three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks . Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large . 3 When all the flocks were gathered there , they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep , and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well . 4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers , where are you from?" And they said , "We are from Haran ." 5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor ?" And they said , "We know him." 6 And he said to them, "Is it well with him?" And they said , "It is well , and here is Rachel his daughter coming with the sheep ." 7 He said , "Behold , it is still high day ; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered . Water the sheep , and go , pasture them." 8 But they said , "We cannot e , until e all the flocks are gathered , and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well ; then we water the sheep ."
9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep , for she was a shepherdess . 10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother , and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother , Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother . 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel , and lifted his voice and wept . 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah's son , and she ran and told her father . 13 So when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son , he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house . Then he related to Laban all these things . 14 Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh ." And he stayed with him a month .
15 Then Laban said to Jacob , "Because you are my relative , should you therefore serve me for nothing ? Tell me, what shall your wages be?" 16 Now Laban had two daughters ; the name of the older was Leah , and the name of the younger was Rachel . 17 And Leah's eyes were weak , but Rachel was beautiful of form and face .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 29:1-17
Commentary on Genesis 29:1-8
(Read Genesis 29:1-8)
Jacob proceeded cheerfully in his journey, after the sweet communion he had with God at Beth-el. Providence brought him to the field where his uncle's flocks were to be watered. What is said of the care of the shepherds for their sheep, may remind us of the tender concern which our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, has for his flock the church; for he is the good Shepherd, that knows his sheep, and is known of them. The stone at the well's mouth was to secure it; water was scarce, it was not there for every one's use: but separate interests should not take us from helping one another. When all the shepherds came together with their flocks, then, like loving neighbours, they watered their flocks together. The law of kindness in the tongue has a commanding power, Proverbs 31:26. Jacob was civil to these strangers, and he found them civil to him.
Commentary on Genesis 29:9-14
(Read Genesis 29:9-14)
See Rachel's humility and industry. Nobody needs to be ashamed of honest, useful labour, nor ought it to hinder any one's preferment. When Jacob understood that this was his kinswoman, he was very ready to serve her. Laban, though not the best humoured, bade him welcome, and was satisfied with the account Jacob gave of himself. While we avoid being foolishly ready to believe every thing which is told us, we must take heed of being uncharitably suspicious.
Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
(Read Genesis 29:15-30)
During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, 1 Corinthians 7:2.