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<!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 29:4 "My brothers," Jacob asked the shepherds, "where are you from?" "We are from Haran," they answered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_29_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 29:4 - Jacob Meets Rachel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="My brothers, Jacob asked the shepherds, where are you from? We are from Haran, they answered." /><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/29-4.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/29-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/29-3.htm" title="Genesis 29:3">◄</a> Genesis 29:4 <a href="/genesis/29-5.htm" title="Genesis 29:5">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/29.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jacob asked the shepherds, &#8220My brothers, where are you from?&#8221 &#8220We&#8217re from Harran,&#8221 they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence <i>be</i> ye? And they said, Of Haran <i>are</i> we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where <i>are</i> you from?” And they said, “We <i>are</i> from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, &#8220My brothers, where are you from?&#8221 And they said, &#8220We are from Haran.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob asked the men at the well, “My brothers! Where are you from? ” “We’re from Haran,” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob asked the men at the well, &#8220My brothers! Where are you from?"&#8221 We&#8217re from Haran,&#8221 they answered.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jacob asked the shepherds, "Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jacob asked some people, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "From Haran," they answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob asked them, "My brothers, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?My brothers,? Jacob asked the shepherds, ?where are you from?? ?We are from Haran,? they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jacob asked them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We're from Haran."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, We are from Haran.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob says to them, “My brothers, where [are] you from?” And they say, “We [are] from Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jacob saith to them, 'My brethren, from whence are ye?' and they say, 'We are from Haran.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will say to them, My brethren, whence are ye? and they will say, We are from Haran.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to the shepherds, “Brothers, where are you from?” And they answered. “From Haran.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, My brethren, where do you come from? And they said, We are from Haran.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Yaquuv said to them, “My brothers, from where are you?” They were saying to him, “We are from Kharan.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob said unto them: 'My brethren, whence are ye?' And they said: 'Of Haran are we.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob said to them, Brethren, whence are ye? and they said, We are of Charrhan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/29-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6948" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Jacob Meets Rachel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">“My brothers,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">the shepherds,</a> <a href="/hebrew/370.htm" title="370: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- Whence?. Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query.">“where</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are you from?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·nā·ḥə·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">“We are</a> <a href="/hebrew/2771.htm" title="2771: mê·ḥā·rān (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- Haran -- crossroads, a city in northern Mesopotamia. From charar; parched; Charan, the name of a man and also of a place.">from Haran,”</a> <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.">they answered.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Genesis 24:10-27</a></span><br />Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. / As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water. / “O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-2.htm">Genesis 28:2</a></span><br />“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-11.htm">Genesis 24:11</a></span><br />As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-15.htm">Genesis 24:15-16</a></span><br />Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. / Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-29.htm">Genesis 24:29-31</a></span><br />Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. / As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring. / “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-42.htm">Genesis 24:42-44</a></span><br />So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! / Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ / and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-62.htm">Genesis 24:62-67</a></span><br />Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. / Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. / And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15-21</a></span><br />When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well. / Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. / And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Judges 18:3</a></span><br />And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Ruth 2:4</a></span><br />Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-11.htm">1 Samuel 9:11-13</a></span><br />And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?” / “Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-6.htm">John 4:6-7</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-9.htm">John 4:9</a></span><br />“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-16.htm">John 4:16-18</a></span><br />Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” / “I have no husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said to her, “You are correct to say that you have no husband. / In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-28.htm">John 4:28-29</a></span><br />Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, / “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jacob said to them, My brothers, from where be you? And they said, Of Haran are we.</p><p class="hdg">Of Haran.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Genesis 11:31</a></b></br> And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Genesis 24:10</a></b></br> And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master <i>were</i> in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-43.htm">Genesis 27:43</a></b></br> Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;</p><p class="hdg">Charran.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Haran</a> <a href="/genesis/26-20.htm">Herdmen</a> <a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/27-37.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/genesis/29-3.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/luke/8-24.htm">We're</a> <a href="/genesis/24-5.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/32-36.htm">Haran</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Herdmen</a> <a href="/genesis/29-6.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-3.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/genesis/46-32.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/genesis/43-18.htm">We're</a> <a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Jacob comes to the well of Haran.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">He becomes acquainted with Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Laban entertains him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Jacob covenants for Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">He is deceived by Laban with Leah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Leah bears Reuben;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Simeon;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-34.htm">Levi;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">and Judah.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>“My brothers,”</b><br>Jacob's use of "my brothers" reflects a common cultural practice of addressing others with familial terms to establish rapport and goodwill. This approach is seen throughout Scripture, emphasizing community and kinship, as in <a href="/genesis/13-8.htm">Genesis 13:8</a> when Abram addresses Lot as "brothers" to avoid conflict.<p><b>Jacob asked the shepherds,</b><br>Jacob's interaction with the shepherds highlights his journey and the importance of pastoral life in the ancient Near East. Shepherding was a common occupation, and shepherds often gathered at wells, which were vital community resources. This setting foreshadows Jacob's future role as a shepherd for Laban, and later, the shepherd imagery used for leaders in Israel, as seen in <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>.<p><b>“where are you from?”</b><br>Jacob's question indicates his search for family and connection, as he is on a journey to find his relatives. This inquiry is reminiscent of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac in <a href="/genesis/24.htm">Genesis 24</a>, emphasizing the theme of divine guidance in finding one's place and people.<p><b>“We are from Haran,” they answered.</b><br>Haran is significant as the place where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur (<a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Genesis 11:31</a>). It serves as a backdrop for several key biblical events, including Jacob's stay with Laban. Haran's mention connects Jacob's journey to the broader narrative of God's covenant promises to Abraham's descendants, highlighting themes of faithfulness and divine providence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a key patriarch in the Bible, known for his journey to Haran to find a wife and his eventual name change to Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherds.htm">Shepherds</a></b><br>These are the men Jacob encounters near the well in Haran. They are responsible for tending sheep, a common occupation in the ancient Near East.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/haran.htm">Haran</a></b><br>A significant location in the biblical account, Haran is where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur. It is also the place where Jacob's mother, Rebekah, was from, and where Jacob goes to find a wife.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_guidance_in_our_journeys.htm">God's Guidance in Our Journeys</a></b><br>Just as God guided Jacob to Haran, He guides us in our life's journey. We should seek His direction in our decisions and trust His plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_family_heritage.htm">The Importance of Family Heritage</a></b><br>Jacob's journey to Haran connects him to his family's past. Understanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith and identity in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_others_respectfully.htm">Engaging with Others Respectfully</a></b><br>Jacob addresses the shepherds as "my brothers," showing respect and camaraderie. We should approach others with kindness and respect, recognizing our shared humanity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_providence_in_relationships.htm">God's Providence in Relationships</a></b><br>Jacob's encounter with the shepherds leads to meeting Rachel. We should trust God's timing and providence in our relationships and life events.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob's_biblical_life_unfold.htm">How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob_and_esau_reconcile_quickly.htm">How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jacob_marry_leah_and_rachel.htm">How did Jacob end up marrying both Leah and Rachel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jacob said unto them</span> (the shepherds of the three flocks), <span class="cmt_word">My brethren</span> (a friendly salutation from one who was himself a shepherd), <span class="cmt_word">whence be ye?</span> Anticipating that their reply would reveal his whereabouts. <span class="cmt_word">And they said, Of Haran are we</span>. This could scarcely fail to remind Jacob of God's premise to guide him in his journey. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/29-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“My brothers,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the [shepherds],</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">“where</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַ֣יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_370.htm">Strong's 370: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whence?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you from?”</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We are</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nā·ḥə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> </span><span class="str2">We</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Haran,”</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵחָרָ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ḥā·rān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2771.htm">Strong's 2771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Haran -- 'crossroads', a city in northern Mesopotamia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they answered.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/29-4.htm">Genesis 29:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/29-4.htm">OT Law: Genesis 29:4 Jacob said to them My relatives where (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/29-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 29:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/29-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 29:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:5" /></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>