Genesis 29:4

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied.

Genesis 29:4 in Other Translations

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

4 Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.

4 Jacob said, "Hello friends. Where are you from?" They said, "We're from Haran."

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

4 Jacob asked some people, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

4 Jacob asked the men at the well, "My brothers! Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

Genesis 29:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:4

And Jacob said unto them
To the shepherds, though not expressly mentioned; it cannot be imagined he spoke to the flocks, but to the keepers of them: my brethren, whence [be] ye?
a kind and affable way of speaking, used even to strangers, since all men are brethren by nature; or might be used by Jacob, because they were of the same occupation with himself, shepherds, asking them of what city they were, and from whence they came? and which being answered, would lead on to a conversation, which was what he wanted: and they said, of Haran [are] we;
the very place he was bound for, and was sent unto, ( Genesis 27:43 ) ( 28:10 ) .

Genesis 29:4 In-Context

2 There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large.

3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied.

5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” “Yes, we know him,” they answered.

6 Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?” “Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.”

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 42:7; Judges 19:17
• 2. S Genesis 11:31; Genesis 28:10