King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:10 Mean?

Genesis 29:10 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.”

Genesis 29:10 · KJV

Context

8

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.

9

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

10

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

11

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12

And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיְהִ֡י1 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩2 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

רָאָ֨ה3 of 29

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יַֽעֲקֹ֗ב4 of 29

“And it came to pass when Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֶת5 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָחֵ֗ל6 of 29

“Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

בַּת7 of 29

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לָבָ֖ן8 of 29

“of Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

אֲחִ֥י9 of 29

“brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אִמּֽוֹ׃10 of 29

“his mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וְאֶת11 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צֹ֥אן12 of 29

“and the sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

לָבָ֖ן13 of 29

“of Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

אֲחִ֥י14 of 29

“brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אִמּֽוֹ׃15 of 29

“his mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וַיִּגַּ֣שׁ16 of 29

“went near”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

יַֽעֲקֹ֗ב17 of 29

“And it came to pass when Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וַיָּ֤גֶל18 of 29

“and rolled”

H1556

to roll (literally or figuratively)

אֶת19 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאֶ֙בֶן֙20 of 29

“the stone”

H68

a stone

מֵעַל֙21 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֣י22 of 29

“mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

הַבְּאֵ֔ר23 of 29

“from the well's”

H875

a pit; especially a well

וַיַּ֕שְׁקְ24 of 29

“and watered”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת25 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צֹ֥אן26 of 29

“and the sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

לָבָ֖ן27 of 29

“of Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

אֲחִ֥י28 of 29

“brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אִמּֽוֹ׃29 of 29

“his mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 29:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 29:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 2:17

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