Genesis 29:8 kjv

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.

Genesis 29:8 nkjv

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."

Genesis 29:8 niv

"We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep."

Genesis 29:8 esv

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."

Genesis 29:8 nlt

"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."

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 8 Meaning

Genesis 29:8 records the collective response of the local shepherds to Jacob. They explain that the customary practice prevents them from watering their flocks individually until all the other flocks from the vicinity are gathered. Only then, through communal effort, would the large stone covering the well's mouth be rolled away, allowing them to draw water for their sheep. This verse highlights the structured, communal approach to accessing essential resources in a shepherd community, dictated by necessity, shared responsibility, and security.

Genesis 29 8 Context

Genesis chapter 29 opens with Jacob journeying eastward, having fled from Esau, guided by God. He arrives in the land of the eastern peoples and encounters a well in a field with three flocks of sheep and several shepherds. Jacob initiates conversation, seeking information about Laban, his uncle. Verses 2 and 3 describe the well's infrastructure: a large stone covers its mouth, and the custom requires all flocks to gather before the stone is moved. This setup ensures fairness in water distribution, prevents individual over-usage or theft, and maintains water purity by keeping out debris. The verse immediately preceding Genesis 29:8, where Jacob asks why they aren't watering their sheep, sets up their detailed explanation of this necessary and established protocol. This context is vital because it contrasts the shepherds' inability to act individually with Jacob's subsequent, extraordinary single-handed effort in verse 10.

Genesis 29 8 Word Analysis

• And they said: The "they" refers to the shepherds Jacob had just encountered, indicating a unanimous or collective response, reflecting established custom.
• We cannot (לֹא נוּכַל - lo nukhal): This signifies an absolute inability or restriction based on prevailing custom or practical limitation, rather than merely unwillingness. It means "it is not possible for us."
• until (עַד אֲשֶׁר - 'ad 'asher): Denotes a condition or prerequisite that must be met before an action can be taken. This emphasizes the sequential nature of their established practice.
• all the flocks (כָּל הָעֲדָרִים - kol ha'adarim): Highlights the communal aspect. "All" indicates every sheep collective needing water from this well. This shared necessity ensures participation and prevents premature watering.
• be gathered together (יֵאָסְפוּ - ye'asefu): A passive form implying a process of assembling. This wasn't merely waiting for another, but for a full contingent necessary for the shared task and fair distribution.
• and till they roll the stone (וְגָלְלוּ אֶת הָאֶבֶן - vegalelu 'et ha'even): The action required significant communal effort. The Hebrew verb galal implies rolling, often a heavy object, suggesting the stone's substantial size and weight, necessitating multiple individuals. This collaborative task was crucial.
• from the well's mouth (מִפִּי הַבְּאֵר - mip'pi ha'be'er): Literally "from the mouth of the well." The "mouth" refers to the opening, where the water is drawn. The stone secured this vital opening.
• then we water (וְהִשְׁקִינוּ - vehishkinu): This sequential "then" shows the consequence. Watering was the final step, contingent upon meeting the prior conditions of communal gathering and obstacle removal. The verb is in the Hiphil causative stem, meaning "cause to drink," or "give water to."

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together": This phrase underlines the strict adherence to communal regulations. Individual action was prohibited or impossible due to the sheer size of the stone and the established practice for shared resource management. It demonstrates their understanding of fairness and the local "rules."
• "and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth": This signifies the physical challenge and the collective effort required. The stone was clearly a significant obstacle, a security measure, or both. Its removal symbolized the community's cooperation for the benefit of all, or at least its ability to delegate the task for communal benefit.
• "then we water the sheep": This indicates the natural and ultimate outcome. The act of watering was conditional on meeting all prior requirements, highlighting a structured and orderly approach to a vital activity.

Genesis 29 8 Bonus section

The communal system of managing the well's access and the large stone illustrates the fragile nature of resources in ancient Near Eastern societies and the elaborate systems devised to ensure equitable access and prevent disputes. Such systems were critical for survival and often governed by local elders or strong traditions. The Hebrew term for "well" (בְּאֵר - be'er) often connotes a dug well, distinct from a spring. The need for a heavy cover suggests the preciousness and vulnerability of the water supply. The entire interaction highlights the role of wells as key gathering points, not just for animals but also for people, leading to social interactions and sometimes, as here, pivotal life-changing encounters.

Genesis 29 8 Commentary

Genesis 29:8 is a brief yet foundational verse that explains a significant cultural and practical aspect of ancient pastoral life. It highlights the premium placed on water resources in arid regions and the communal protocols developed to manage them fairly and securely. The existence of a "great stone" on the well's mouth was likely a practical measure to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or contamination, and perhaps also to reduce evaporation. Its substantial weight, implicitly requiring collective effort ("they roll the stone"), underscored the necessity of cooperation among shepherds.

This communal inability ("we cannot") sets the stage dramatically for Jacob's solitary and remarkable feat in verse 10. The shepherds' explanation of their binding custom implicitly contrasts with Jacob's unique strength, possibly supernaturally empowered, as a precursor to God's blessing on him and his family. The "until" clause emphasizes the strictness of the established order; nothing could happen outside the agreed-upon collective schedule. Thus, this verse serves not just as a piece of ethnographic detail but as a deliberate setup for Jacob's pivotal role and the divine favor becoming apparent in his life, particularly as it relates to his meeting with Rachel and the unfolding of God's plan for his descendants.