Genesis 29:3
New International Version
When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

New Living Translation
It was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to arrive before removing the stone and watering the animals. Afterward the stone would be placed back over the mouth of the well.

English Standard Version
and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth.

New American Standard Bible
When all the flocks were gathered there, they would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

NASB 1995
When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

NASB 1977
When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

Legacy Standard Bible
And all the flocks would be gathered there, and they would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and give water to the sheep to drink and return the stone back to its place on the mouth of the well.

Amplified Bible
and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, water the sheep, and [afterward] replace the stone on the mouth of the well.

Christian Standard Bible
The shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep when all the flocks were gathered there. Then they would return the stone to its place over the well’s opening.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep. The stone was then placed back on the well’s opening.

American Standard Version
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 its place.

Contemporary English Version
Shepherds would roll the rock away when all their sheep had gathered there. Then after the sheep had been watered, the shepherds would roll the rock back over the mouth of the well.

English Revised Version
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 its place.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When all the flocks were gathered there, the stone would be rolled off the opening of the well so that the sheep could be watered. Then the stone would be put back in place over the opening of the well.

Good News Translation
Whenever all the flocks came together there, the shepherds would roll the stone back and water them. Then they would put the stone back in place.

International Standard Version
and when all the flocks had been gathered there, they would roll away the stone from the opening of the well, water their flocks, and then return the stone to its place covering the opening of the well.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone off the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place over the well's mouth.

New Heart English Bible
Now all the flocks would be gathered there, and they would roll the stone from the well?s mouth, and water the sheep, and put the stone again on the well's mouth in its place.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 its place.

World English Bible
There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
(When all the droves have been gathered there, and they have rolled the stone from off the mouth of the well, and have watered the flock, then they have turned back the stone on the mouth of the well to its place.)

Young's Literal Translation
(When thither have all the droves been gathered, and they have rolled the stone from off the mouth of the well, and have watered the flock, then they have turned back the stone on the mouth of the well to its place.)

Smith's Literal Translation
And they gather there all the flocks; and they rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the sheep, and turned back the stone upon the mouth of the well to its place.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together to roll away the stone, and after the sheep were watered, to put it on the mouth of the well again.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together, to roll away the stone. And when the flocks had been refreshed, they placed it over the mouth of the well again.

New American Bible
When all the shepherds were assembled there they would roll the stone away from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back again in its place over the mouth of the well.

New Revised Standard Version
and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the flocks were gathered there; and the shepherds rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and then put the stone back in its place upon the well's mouth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the flocks assembled there and they rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and they give drink to the sheep and return the stone to the mouth of the well in its place.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 back upon the well's mouth in its place.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there were all the flocks gathered, and they used to roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the flocks, and set the stone again in its place on the mouth of the well.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Meets Rachel
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. 4“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.…

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.”

1 Samuel 9:11
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?”

John 10:3-4
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.

Isaiah 40:11
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.

Psalm 23:1-2
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.

Ezekiel 34:12-15
As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / 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. ...

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Jeremiah 31:10
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.

John 21:15-17
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.

1 Peter 5:2-4
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.

Luke 15:4-6
“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!’

Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

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.’”

Micah 5:4
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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 on the well's mouth in his place.

the flocks.

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Droves Flock Flocks Gathered Mouth Roll Rolled Sheep Shepherds Stone Thither Together Turned Water Watered Well's
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Genesis 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.














When all the flocks had gathered there
This phrase sets the scene in a pastoral context, emphasizing the communal nature of shepherding in ancient times. The Hebrew word for "flocks" is "צֹאן" (tso'n), which refers to small livestock like sheep and goats. The gathering of flocks indicates a time of cooperation among shepherds, reflecting the communal lifestyle of the patriarchs. This gathering can be seen as a metaphor for unity and fellowship among God's people, who are often likened to sheep in the Bible (Psalm 100:3).

the stone was rolled away from the mouth of the well
The "stone" here is significant both practically and symbolically. In Hebrew, "אֶבֶן" (even) is the word for stone, and it was used to protect the well from contamination and to prevent unauthorized access. The act of rolling away the stone required strength and cooperation, symbolizing the removal of barriers to access life-giving water. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Christ, where the stone was rolled away from the tomb, granting access to the living water of eternal life (John 4:14).

and the sheep were watered
Watering the sheep was a critical task for shepherds, ensuring the health and survival of the flock. The Hebrew verb "שָׁקָה" (shaqah) means to give drink or to water. This act of providing water is a powerful image of God's provision and care for His people. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the nourishment and sustenance that God provides through His Word and Spirit, as seen in Psalm 23:1-2, where the Lord is depicted as a shepherd who leads His sheep beside still waters.

Then the stone was returned to its place over the mouth of the well
Returning the stone to its place signifies the completion of the task and the restoration of order. The act of covering the well again with the stone ensured the preservation of the water source for future use. This can be seen as a reminder of the importance of stewardship and the responsible management of God's blessings. In a broader sense, it reflects the cyclical nature of life and the ongoing need for God's provision and protection.

Verse 3. - And thither were all the flecks gathered. "Fifteen minutes later we came to a large well in a valley among the swells, fitted up with troughs and reservoirs, with flocks waiting around" (Robinson, 3. p. 21). And they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, find watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. From the middle of ver. 2 the words are parenthetical, the watering of the flocks not having taken place till Rachel had arrived (ver. 9) and Jacob had uncovered the well (ver. 10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the flocks
הָעֲדָרִ֗ים (hā·‘ă·ḏā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster

had been gathered
וְנֶאֶסְפוּ־ (wə·ne·’es·p̄ū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

there,
שָׁ֣מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

the shepherds would roll away
וְגָלֲל֤וּ (wə·ḡā·lă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1556: To roll, roll away

the stone
הָאֶ֙בֶן֙ (hā·’e·ḇen)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

from
מֵעַל֙ (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the mouth
פִּ֣י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the well
הַבְּאֵ֔ר (hab·bə·’êr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 875: A pit, a well

and water
וְהִשְׁק֖וּ (wə·hiš·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

the sheep.
הַצֹּ֑אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

Then they would return
וְהֵשִׁ֧יבוּ (wə·hê·šî·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the stone
הָאֶ֛בֶן (hā·’e·ḇen)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

to its place
לִמְקֹמָֽהּ׃ (lim·qō·māh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

over
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.
הַבְּאֵ֖ר (hab·bə·’êr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 875: A pit, a well


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OT Law: Genesis 29:3 There all the flocks were gathered (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 29:2
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