291 And Jacob lifteth up his feet, and goeth towards the land of the sons of the east; 2 and he looketh, and lo, a well in the field, and lo, there three droves of a flock crouching by it, for from that well they water the droves, and the great stone 'is' on the mouth of the well. 3 (When thither have all the droves been gathered, and they have rolled the stone from off the mouth of the well, and have watered the flock, then they have turned back the stone on the mouth of the well to its place.) 4 And Jacob saith to them, 'My brethren, from whence 'are' ye?' and they say, 'We 'are' from Haran.' 5 And he saith to them, 'Have ye known Laban, son of Nahor?' and they say, 'We have known.' 6 And he saith to them, 'Hath he peace?' and they say, 'Peace; and lo, Rachel his daughter is coming with the flock.' 7 And he saith, 'Lo, the day 'is' still great, 'it is' not time for the cattle to be gathered; water ye the flock, and go, delight yourselves.' 8 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.'
9 He is yet speaking with them, and Rachel hath come with the flock which her father hath, for she 'is' shepherdess; 10 and it cometh to pass when Jacob hath seen Rachel, daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the flock of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob cometh nigh and rolleth the stone from off the mouth of the well, and watereth the flock of Laban his mother's brother. 11 And Jacob kisseth Rachel, and lifteth up his voice, and weepeth, 12 and Jacob declareth to Rachel that he 'is' her father's brother, and that he 'is' Rebekah's son, and she runneth and declareth to her father. 13 And it cometh to pass, when Laban heareth the report of Jacob his sister's son, that he runneth to meet him, and embraceth him, and kisseth him, and bringeth him in unto his house; and he recounteth to Laban all these things, 14 and Laban saith to him, 'Only my bone and my flesh 'art' thou;' and he dwelleth with him a month of days.
15 And Laban saith to Jacob, 'Is it because thou 'art' my brother that thou hast served me for nought? declare to me what 'is' thy hire.' 16 And Laban hath two daughters, the name of the elder 'is' Leah, and the name of the younger Rachel, 17 and the eyes of Leah 'are' tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.
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.