CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 29:8 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_29_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 29:8 - Jacob Meets Rachel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/29-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/29-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/29.htm">Chapter 29</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/29-7.htm" title="Genesis 29:7">◄</a> Genesis 29:8 <a href="/genesis/29-9.htm" title="Genesis 29:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/29.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220We can&#8217t,&#8221 they replied, &#8220until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/29.htm">New Living Translation</a> “We can’t water the animals until all the flocks have arrived,” they replied. “Then the shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats.” <a href="/esv/genesis/29.htm">English Standard Version</a> But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/29.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/29.htm">New King James Version</a> But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1995</a> But they said, &#8220We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we give water to the sheep to drink.” <a href="/amp/genesis/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But they said, “We cannot [leave] until all the flocks are gathered together, and the shepherds roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we will water the sheep.” <a href="/csb/genesis/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But they replied, “We can’t until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well’s opening. Then we will water the sheep.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But they replied, &#8220We can&#8217t until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well&#8217s opening. Then we will water the sheep.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/29.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/genesis/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But they replied, "We can't do that until they all get here, and the rock has been rolled away from the well." <a href="/erv/genesis/29.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/genesis/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They replied, "We can't until all the flocks are gathered. When the stone is rolled off the opening of the well, we can water the sheep." <a href="/gnt/genesis/29.htm">Good News Translation</a> They answered, "We can't do that until all the flocks are here and the stone has been rolled back; then we will water the flocks." <a href="/isv/genesis/29.htm">International Standard Version</a> But they responded, "We can't do that until all the sheep have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the opening of the well. Only then can we water the flock." <a href="/msb/genesis/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/genesis/29.htm">NET Bible</a> "We can't," they said, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone is rolled off the mouth of the well. Then we water the sheep." <a href="/nheb/genesis/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They said, "We can't, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well's mouth. Then we water the sheep." <a href="/wbt/genesis/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/genesis/29.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they say, “We are not able, until 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.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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.' <a href="/slt/genesis/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say, We shall not be able, till that all the flocks shall be gathered together, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; and we water the sheep.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> They responded, “We cannot, until all the animals are gathered together and we remove the stone from the mouth of the well, so that we may water the flocks.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/29.htm">New American Bible</a> They replied, “We cannot until all the shepherds are here to roll the stone away from the mouth of the well; then can we water the flocks.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they said, We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the shepherds roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> They were saying to him, “We cannot until all of the flocks assemble, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well and we give drink to the sheep.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/genesis/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they said, We shall not be able, until all the shepherds be gathered together, and they shall roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, then we will water the flocks. <a href="/parallel/genesis/29-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6978" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Jacob Meets Rachel</a> …7“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” 8<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But they replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“We cannot,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: nū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: hā·‘ă·ḏā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">the flocks</a> <a href="/hebrew/622.htm" title="622: yê·’ā·sə·p̄ū (V-Nifal-Imperf-3mp) -- To gather, remove. A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. Remove.">have been gathered</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: hā·’e·ḇen (Art:: N-fs) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">and the stone</a> <a href="/hebrew/1556.htm" title="1556: wə·ḡā·lă·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To roll, roll away. A primitive root; to roll.">has been rolled</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">away from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">the mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/875.htm" title="875: hab·bə·’êr (Art:: N-fs) -- A well, pit. From ba'ar; a pit; especially a well.">of the well.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: wə·hiš·qî·nū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cp) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">Then we will water</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: haṣ·ṣōn (Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">the sheep.”</a> 9While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/2-17.htm">Exodus 2:17</a> And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock. <a href="/john/4-6.htm">John 4:6-7</a> Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. / When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a> Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ... <a href="/john/10-3.htm">John 10:3-4</a> The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. / When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. <a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a> He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. <a href="/ezekiel/34-13.htm">Ezekiel 34:13-15</a> I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. / I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. / I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. <a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1-2</a> A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. <a href="/john/21-15.htm">John 21:15-17</a> When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11</a> And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a> Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. <a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">Jeremiah 31:10</a> Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock. <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-6</a> “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a> When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. <a href="/numbers/27-17.htm">Numbers 27:17</a> who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” <a href="/micah/5-4.htm">Micah 5:4</a> He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.until.<a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Genesis 29:3</a> And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.<a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14</a> And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:<a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Genesis 43:32</a> And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.roll.<a href="/mark/16-3.htm">Mark 16:3</a> And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?<a href="/luke/24-2.htm">Luke 24:2</a> And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Collected</a> <a href="/genesis/29-6.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Roll</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Rolled</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Together</a> <a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Watered</a> <a href="/genesis/29-2.htm">Water-Hole</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Well's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/32-25.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Collected</a> <a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/30-31.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/29-22.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/joshua/10-18.htm">Roll</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Rolled</a> <a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/genesis/29-22.htm">Together</a> <a href="/genesis/30-38.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Watered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-18.htm">Water-Hole</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Well's</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 29</div>1. <a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Jacob comes to the well of Haran.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">He becomes acquainted with Rachel.</a> 13. <a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Laban entertains him.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Jacob covenants for Rachel.</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">He is deceived by Laban with Leah.</a> 28. <a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.</a> 32. <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Leah bears Reuben;</a> 33. <a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Simeon;</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/29-34.htm">Levi;</a> 35. <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">and Judah.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/29.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But they replied This phrase indicates a response from the shepherds to Jacob. In the context of <a href="/genesis/29.htm">Genesis 29</a>, Jacob has arrived in Haran and is speaking with local shepherds. The dialogue reflects the communal nature of shepherding in ancient times, where cooperation was necessary for tasks like watering flocks.We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered The shepherds' response highlights the practice of waiting for all the flocks to gather before removing the stone from the well. This practice ensured fairness and order, preventing any one group from monopolizing the water source. It reflects the communal and cooperative nature of pastoral life in the ancient Near East.and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well The stone covering the well was likely large and heavy, serving to protect the water from contamination and theft. This detail underscores the physical effort required to access water, a precious resource in the arid regions of the Middle East. The act of rolling away the stone can be seen as a type of Christ, prefiguring the stone rolled away from Jesus' tomb, symbolizing access to the living water of eternal life.Then we will water the sheep Watering the sheep was a critical task for shepherds, ensuring the health and survival of the flock. This phrase emphasizes the shepherds' role in caring for their animals, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, where God is often depicted as a shepherd caring for His people (e.g., <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>). The act of watering sheep can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment, drawing parallels to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who provides for His flock.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The central figure in this chapter, Jacob is on a journey to find a wife from his mother's family. He encounters shepherds at a well, which is a significant meeting place in biblical accounts. 2. <a href="/topical/s/shepherds.htm">Shepherds</a> These are the men Jacob meets at the well. They are responsible for tending to the flocks and are waiting for all the flocks to gather before removing the stone from the well. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_well.htm">The Well</a> A critical location in the account, the well represents a place of provision and community gathering. It is covered by a large stone that requires multiple people to move. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_stone.htm">The Stone</a> Symbolic of obstacles that require collective effort to overcome, the stone covering the well's mouth must be moved to access the water. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_flocks.htm">The Flocks</a> Representing the wealth and livelihood of the people, the flocks are dependent on the water from the well, highlighting the importance of cooperation and timing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_and_cooperation.htm">The Importance of Community and Cooperation</a> The shepherds' response to Jacob underscores the necessity of working together to achieve common goals. In our lives, we should seek to foster community and collaboration. <a href="/topical/p/patience_and_timing_in_god's_plan.htm">Patience and Timing in God's Plan</a> The need to wait for all the flocks to gather before removing the stone teaches us about the importance of patience and God's perfect timing in our lives. <a href="/topical/o/overcoming_obstacles_with_collective_effort.htm">Overcoming Obstacles with Collective Effort</a> The stone represents challenges that may seem insurmountable alone but can be overcome with the help of others. We should not hesitate to seek support from our community. <a href="/topical/d/divine_encounters_in_everyday_places.htm">Divine Encounters in Everyday Places</a> Just as Jacob's life was significantly impacted by his encounter at the well, we should be open to divine appointments in our daily routines.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29</a> <a href="/q/why_did_jacob_marry_leah_and_rachel.htm">How did Jacob end up marrying both Leah and Rachel?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_dead_sea's_biblical_role.htm">What is Mizpah's significance in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/could_jacob_alone_move_a_multi-shepherd_stone.htm">Genesis 29:2–3: How plausible is it for Jacob alone to remove a stone that typically required multiple shepherds? </a> <a href="/q/why_mention_'clean'_animals_in_genesis_7_2.htm">If 'clean' and 'unclean' animals (Genesis 7:2) were not defined until later, why are they mentioned here?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/29.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) And till they roll the stone . . . --More correctly, then they roll the stone from the well's mouth, and we water the sheep. As soon as the flocks were all collected round the well the stone is removed. and all in their turn give their sheep water.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - And they said, We cannot, - not because of any physical difficulty (Kalisch), since three men could easily have accomplished what Jacob by himself did, but because they had agreed not to do so (Rosenmüller, Murphy), but to wait - until all the flocks be gathered together (when the watering was done at once, instead of at so many different times), and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; - more correctly rendered, and (sc. then, i.e. when the flocks are assembled) they (i.e. the shepherds) roll away the stone - then (or, and) we water the sheep. The object of watering the flocks collectively may have been, as above stated, for convenience, or to prevent the well from being opened too frequently, in which case dust might rapidly accumulate within it (Kalisch), or perhaps to secure an equal distribution of the water (Murphy). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/29-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But they replied, וַיֹּאמְרוּ֮ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “We cannot, לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no until עַ֣ד (‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the flocks הָ֣עֲדָרִ֔ים (hā·‘ă·ḏā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> An arrangement, muster have been gathered יֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ (yê·’ā·sə·p̄ū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove and the stone הָאֶ֔בֶן (hā·’e·ḇen) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone has been rolled וְגָֽלֲלוּ֙ (wə·ḡā·lă·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1556.htm">Strong's 1556: </a> To roll, roll away away from מֵעַ֖ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the mouth פִּ֣י (pî) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of the well. הַבְּאֵ֑ר (hab·bə·’êr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_875.htm">Strong's 875: </a> A pit, a well Then we will water וְהִשְׁקִ֖ינוּ (wə·hiš·qî·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to the sheep.” הַצֹּֽאן׃ (haṣ·ṣōn) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/29-8.htm">Genesis 29:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/29-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 29:8 They said We can't until all (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/29-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 29:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/29-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 29:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>