Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside it, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well. English Standard Version As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, Berean Standard Bible He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. King James Bible And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. New King James Version And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth. New American Standard Bible He looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, because they watered the flocks from that well. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. NASB 1995 He looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. NASB 1977 And he looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. Legacy Standard Bible And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they gave water to the flocks to drink. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. Amplified Bible As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying there [resting] beside it because the flocks were watered from that well. Now the stone on the mouth of the well [that covered and protected it] was large, Christian Standard Bible He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. But a large stone covered the opening of the well. Holman Christian Standard Bible He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. A large stone covered the opening of the well. American Standard Version And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep lying there by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and the stone upon the well's mouth was great. Contemporary English Version he looked out in a field and saw a well where shepherds took their sheep for water. Three flocks of sheep were lying around the well, which was covered with a large rock. English Revised Version And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep lying there by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and the stone upon the well's mouth was great. GOD'S WORD® Translation He looked around, and out in a field he saw a well with a large stone over the opening. Three flocks of sheep were lying down near it, because the flocks were watered from that well. Good News Translation Suddenly he came upon a well out in the fields with three flocks of sheep lying around it. The flocks were watered from this well, which had a large stone over the opening. International Standard Version As he was observing a well that had been dug out on the open range, all of a sudden he noticed three flocks of sheep lying there, because shepherds watered their flocks from that well. There was a very large stone that covered the opening of the well, Majority Standard Bible He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. NET Bible He saw in the field a well with three flocks of sheep lying beside it, because the flocks were watered from that well. Now a large stone covered the mouth of the well. New Heart English Bible He looked and saw a well in the field, and look, three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well's mouth was large. Webster's Bible Translation And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. World English Bible He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well’s mouth was large. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he looks, and behold, a well in the field, and behold, there [are] three droves of a flock crouching by it, for they water the droves from that well, and the great stone [is] on the mouth of the well. Young's Literal Translation and he looketh, and lo, a well in the field, and lo, there three droves of a flock crouching by it, for from that well they water the droves, and the great stone is on the mouth of the well. Smith's Literal Translation And he will see, and behold, a well in the field, and behold there three flocks of sheep lying by it; for from that well they will water the flocks and the great stone upon the mouth of the well. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts were watered out of it, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone. Catholic Public Domain Version And he saw a well in a field, and also three flocks of sheep reclining near it. For the animals were watered from it, and its mouth was closed with a great stone. New American Bible Looking about, he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep huddled near it, for flocks were watered from that well. A large stone covered the mouth of the well. New Revised Standard Version As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying there beside it; for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he looked, and beheld a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks and a large stone was upon the well's mouth. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he saw, and behold, a well in a field, and there were three flocks of sheep lying by it, because the flock was drinking at the well, and a great stone was on the mouth of the well. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep lying there by it.--For out of that well they watered the flocks. And the stone upon the well's mouth was great. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he looks, and behold! a well in the plain; and there were there three flocks of sheep resting at it, for out of that well they watered the flocks, but there was a great stone at the mouth of the well. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Meets Rachel1Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. 2He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. 3When 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.… Cross References Exodus 2:16-17 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. John 4:6-7 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.” Genesis 24:11-20 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. / Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. ... Numbers 20:1-11 In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. / Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. / The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! ... John 4:10-14 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?” ... Genesis 30:38 Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink, 1 Samuel 9:11-12 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. Isaiah 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation, John 7:37-38 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” Genesis 26:19-22 Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water there. / But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. / Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. ... 2 Kings 3:16-17 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ John 4:28-29 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?” Genesis 21:19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Genesis 33:13-14 But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die. / Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.” Treasury of Scripture And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, see, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was on the well's mouth. a well. Genesis 24:11,13 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water… Exodus 2:15,16 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well… John 4:6,14 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour… there. Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Song of Solomon 1:6,7 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept… Isaiah 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. a great stone. Jump to Previous Crouching Droves Field Fields Flock Flocks Great Lying Mouth Sheep Side Stone Three Water Watered Water-Hole Well'sJump to Next Crouching Droves Field Fields Flock Flocks Great Lying Mouth Sheep Side Stone Three Water Watered Water-Hole Well'sGenesis 29 1. Jacob comes to the well of Haran.9. He becomes acquainted with Rachel. 13. Laban entertains him. 18. Jacob covenants for Rachel. 23. He is deceived by Laban with Leah. 28. He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more. 32. Leah bears Reuben; 33. Simeon; 34. Levi; 35. and Judah. He looked and saw a well in the field In ancient times, wells were vital sources of water, especially in arid regions like Mesopotamia. They were often located in fields where shepherds could easily access water for their flocks. Wells also served as communal gathering places, which is significant in biblical narratives. This well in the field is reminiscent of other biblical encounters at wells, such as those involving Rebekah and Moses, symbolizing divine providence and guidance. and near it lay three flocks of sheep because the sheep were watered from this well And a large stone covered the mouth of the well Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe central figure in this passage, Jacob is on a journey to find a wife from his mother's family. His encounter at the well is a pivotal moment in his life. 2. The Well A significant location in the account, the well represents a place of provision and community gathering. It is where Jacob meets Rachel, which leads to his eventual marriage. 3. Three Flocks of Sheep These flocks symbolize the wealth and livelihood of the shepherds. They are waiting to be watered, indicating the importance of the well in sustaining life. 4. The Stone The large stone covering the well's mouth signifies protection and the need for communal effort to access the water, reflecting themes of cooperation and shared resources. 5. The Field The setting of the field suggests openness and the potential for new beginnings, as Jacob is about to start a new chapter in his life. Teaching Points Divine AppointmentsGod often uses ordinary places and events to orchestrate His divine plans. Just as Jacob's journey led him to a well, we should be attentive to God's guidance in our daily lives. Community and Cooperation The large stone on the well required multiple people to move it, illustrating the importance of working together in community to achieve common goals. Provision and Sustenance The well represents God's provision. In our spiritual journey, we must seek the "living water" that sustains us, as Jesus offers in the New Testament. Patience and Timing The flocks waiting to be watered remind us of the importance of patience and God's perfect timing in fulfilling His promises.(2) Behold a well in the field.--This was not the well whence Rebekah drew the water; for it was in the field, the open pasture ground, whereas Rebekah's well was just outside the city (Genesis 24:11), and she obtained the water by going down the steps which led to it (Genesis 24:16). A great stone was upon the well's mouth.--The region round Haran, though fertile, is very dry, and the chief use of the stone was to prevent the well from being choked with sand. As the proper translation is the stone upon the well's mouth was great, it would also serve to prevent the well from being used, except at fixed times; for it probably required the strength of two or three men (comp. Robinson, Bibl. Res. ii. 180) to remove it; nor does the language of Genesis 29:10 necessarily imply that Jacob rolled it away without the aid of others. Besides this, the stone may have marked that the well was private property: for, as we have seen in the account of the covenants of Abraham and Isaac with Abimelech, no possession was morevalued than that of wells. And as we find the shepherds all waiting for Rachel, and that immediately on her arrival the stone is rolled away, and her sheep watered first, while the rest, though they had been there long before her, yet have to bide their time till her wants are supplied, it is probable that Laban had at least a first claim upon its enjoyment. No such courtesy was shown to the daughters of Jethro (Exodus 2:17). Verse 2. - And he looked (either to discover where he was, or in search of water), and behold a well in the field, - not the well at which Eliezer's caravan halted, which was a well for the village maidens, situated in front of the town, and approached by steps (vide Genesis 14.), but a well in the open field for the use of flocks, and covered at the time of Jacob's arrival with a huge stone - and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it. A frequent Oriental scene (cf. Genesis 14:11; Exodus 2:16). "Who that has traveled much in this country has not often arrived at a well in the heat of the day which was surrounded with numerous flocks of sheep waiting to be watered? I once saw such a scene in the burning plains of Northern Syria. Half-naked, fierce-looking men were drawing up water in leather buckets; flock after flock was brought up, watered, and sent away; and after all the men had ended their work, then several women and girls brought up their flocks, and drew water for them. Thus it was with Jethro's daughters; and thus, no doubt, it would have been with Rachel if Jacob had not rolled away the stone and watered her sheep" ('Land and Book,' p. 589). For out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. "Most of the cisterns are covered with a large thick, flat stone, in the center of which a hole is cut, which forms the mouth of the cistern. This hole, in many instances, we found covered with a heavy stone, to the removal of which two or three men were requisite" (Robinson, 2. p. 180).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He lookedוַיַּ֞רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see and saw וְהִנֵּ֧ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! a well בְאֵ֣ר (ḇə·’êr) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 875: A pit, a well in the field, בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land and וְהִנֵּה־ (wə·hin·nêh-) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! there שָׁ֞ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither by it עָלֶ֔יהָ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against lay רֹבְצִ֣ים (rō·ḇə·ṣîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed three שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה (šə·lō·šāh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice flocks עֶדְרֵי־ (‘eḏ·rê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster of sheep, צֹאן֙ (ṣōn) Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock because כִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the sheep הָעֲדָרִ֑ים (hā·‘ă·ḏā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster were watered יַשְׁק֖וּ (yaš·qū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of this הַהִ֔וא (ha·hi·w) Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are well. הַבְּאֵ֣ר (hab·bə·’êr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 875: A pit, a well And a large גְּדֹלָ֖ה (gə·ḏō·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent stone וְהָאֶ֥בֶן (wə·hā·’e·ḇen) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 68: A stone covered עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the mouth פִּ֥י (pî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of the well. הַבְּאֵֽר׃ (hab·bə·’êr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 875: A pit, a well Links Genesis 29:2 NIVGenesis 29:2 NLT Genesis 29:2 ESV Genesis 29:2 NASB Genesis 29:2 KJV Genesis 29:2 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:2 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:2 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:2 French Bible Genesis 29:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:2 He looked and behold a well (Gen. 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