Genesis 29 6

Genesis 29:6 kjv

And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Genesis 29:6 nkjv

So he said to them, "Is he well?" And they said, "He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep."

Genesis 29:6 niv

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

Genesis 29:6 esv

He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!"

Genesis 29:6 nlt

"Is he doing well?" Jacob asked. "Yes, he's well," they answered. "Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the flock now."

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 6 meaning

Genesis 29:6 describes a crucial moment during Jacob's journey when he arrives at a well and encounters shepherds. His primary inquiry, "Is he well?", uses the Hebrew word shalom, encompassing holistic well-being—peace, health, prosperity, and completeness—demonstrating a deep, respectful concern for his kinsman Laban. The shepherds confirm Laban's good standing, immediately followed by the dramatic pronouncement, "and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep." This phrase highlights a divinely orchestrated arrival, marking the significant encounter that sets the course for Jacob's family and future lineage. The verse therefore signifies divine providence, familial concern, and the beginning of a pivotal relationship.

Genesis 29 6 Context

Genesis 29:6 occurs shortly after Jacob's profound dream at Bethel (Gen 28), where God reaffirms the Abrahamic covenant to him. Jacob, fleeing his brother Esau, journeys towards Haran, his mother Rebekah's homeland, to seek a wife from his kinsfolk, as instructed by Isaac (Gen 28:1-2). His arrival at the well outside Haran places him in a traditional setting for significant encounters, particularly for finding a spouse. This verse is the direct interaction between Jacob and the local shepherds, a crucial moment before his dramatic meeting with Rachel, Laban's daughter. It sets the scene for the extensive narrative of Jacob's years with Laban, his marriages, and the birth of his children, laying the foundation for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Genesis 29 6 Word analysis

• And he said unto them: Refers to Jacob initiating communication with the local shepherds, indicating his polite and inquisitive nature upon arriving in an unfamiliar place.
• Is he well?: (Hebrew: Hāšālōm lō?)
  • Hā-: The interrogative prefix, signifying a question.
  • šālōm (שָׁלוֹם): Transliterated as "shalom," this word is profound. It means peace, completeness, welfare, health, prosperity, safety, and general well-being. Jacob's inquiry goes beyond mere physical health; he is asking about Laban's overall state of life and peace. It's the standard, comprehensive greeting in ancient Hebrew culture, inquiring about a person's entire condition and circumstance. Its use here shows Jacob's immediate and deep concern for his mother's family.
  • lō (לוֹ): "To him" or "concerning him," referring specifically to Laban, whom Jacob has identified as his mother's brother.
• And they said, He is well: (Hebrew: Wayyōʾměrū šālōm)
  • Wayyōʾměrū (וַיֹּאמְרוּ): "And they said," indicating a direct response from the shepherds.
  • šālōm (שָׁלוֹם): Their affirmation confirms Laban's complete well-being, peace, and health, responding directly to Jacob's deep inquiry. This indicates that Jacob's desired contact is accessible and in a good state.
• and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep: (Hebrew: wəhinnēh rāḥēl bittō bāʾāh ʿim haṣṣōʾn)
  • wəhinnēh (וְהִנֵּה): "And behold!" This emphatic interjection serves to draw immediate and strong attention to what follows. It introduces something new, important, or even surprising, highlighting the sudden and significant appearance of Rachel. In biblical narratives, "behold" often points to divine orchestration or a pivotal moment.
  • Rāḥēl (רָחֵל): Rachel, meaning "ewe." Her name connects to her occupation as a shepherdess and signifies fertility, albeit one she would struggle with later. She is Laban's younger daughter and Jacob's cousin.
  • bittō (בִּתּוֹ): "His daughter," explicitly stating her relation to Laban, which is significant given Jacob's quest for family.
  • bāʾāh (בָּאָה): "Coming" or "is coming," a feminine singular present participle, denoting a continuous action or immediate arrival. This conveys the suddenness and immediacy of her appearance on the scene.
  • ʿim haṣṣōʾn (עִם הַצֹּאן): "With the sheep" or "with the flock." This details her occupation and identifies her as part of the pastoral community Jacob has just met, immediately connecting her to the environment.

• Words-Group analysis:
  • "Is he well? And they said, He is well": This exchange, centered on shalom, establishes Jacob's familial concern and confirms the good standing of Laban, ensuring Jacob's primary objective (to reach his uncle) is on solid ground. It reflects cultural customs of courteous and comprehensive greetings.
  • "and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep": The striking conjunction "and, behold!" signals a narrative pivot point. Rachel's sudden arrival, a direct result of God's leading, immediately following Jacob's inquiry about her father, highlights divine providence and orchestrates the pivotal meeting of Jacob and his future wife, beginning the next phase of the patriarchal narrative. Her appearance with the sheep also foreshadows Jacob's own eventual pastoral life.

Genesis 29 6 Bonus section

The motif of encountering a significant future spouse at a well is a recurring literary device in Genesis, underscoring the divine supervision over the foundational marriages of Israel's patriarchs. Abraham's servant finding Rebekah at a well (Gen 24) is the primary parallel, establishing a narrative pattern that reassures the reader of God's active involvement in securing Jacob's lineage. The use of "sheep" in this verse, and generally in the context of the patriarchs, highlights their pastoral livelihood which symbolizes wealth and a nomadic, independent lifestyle in covenant with God, contrasting with the settled agricultural civilizations of the region. The cultural significance of wells in arid lands made them crucial community hubs, natural gathering places for both people and their flocks, thus providing the perfect setting for these preordained meetings.

Genesis 29 6 Commentary

Genesis 29:6 serves as the divine curtain-raiser for Jacob's dramatic encounter with Rachel. Jacob's opening query, using shalom, reveals his underlying concern for Laban, demonstrating a holistic approach to well-being that reflects a key Hebrew concept beyond mere physical health. The shepherds' brief, affirmative response confirms a favorable situation, paving the way for Jacob's purpose. However, the true climax of the verse lies in the interjection, "Behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep." This "behold" signals an immediate, surprising, and divinely arranged turn of events. Without any prior indication or delay, the person destined to become Jacob's most beloved wife and mother of two key tribes appears. It’s a moment of direct, tangible providence, demonstrating God’s faithful guidance over Jacob's journey to establish His chosen lineage, mirroring similar encounters at wells for Rebekah and Moses' wife, Zipporah. This single verse compactly combines respectful inquiry, positive confirmation, and momentous divine orchestration, leading to the unfolding of Jacob’s familial destiny.
Example: Just as Jacob sought peace and found God's perfect timing in Rachel, believers today should seek God's shalom and trust His perfect timing for key relationships and life paths, recognizing His sovereign hand in even everyday encounters.