King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:6 Mean?

Genesis 29:6 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. Is...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. Is he: Heb. Is there peace to him?”

Genesis 29:6 · KJV

Peace

Context

4

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

5

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

6

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

7

And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. it is: Heb. yet the day is great

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.

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter comet... 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. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 12

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֖ם2 of 12
H0
שָׁל֔וֹם3 of 12

“He is well”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

ל֑וֹ4 of 12
H0
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ5 of 12

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁל֔וֹם6 of 12

“He is well”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וְהִנֵּה֙7 of 12
H2009

lo!

רָחֵ֣ל8 of 12

“and behold Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

בִּתּ֔וֹ9 of 12

“his daughter”

H1323

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

בָּאָ֖ה10 of 12

“cometh”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עִם11 of 12
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַצֹּֽאן׃12 of 12

“with the sheep”

H6629

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

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 29:6 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 29:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 20:91 Samuel 17:221 Samuel 25:5Genesis 37:14Exodus 18:7Genesis 43:27

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