King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:7 Mean?

Genesis 29:7 in the King James Version says “And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep,...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 29:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

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

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together:... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 13

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵ֥ן2 of 13

“Lo”

H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עוֹד֙3 of 13
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הַיּ֣וֹם4 of 13

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

גָּד֔וֹל5 of 13

“it is yet high”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

לֹא6 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עֵ֖ת7 of 13

“neither is it time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הֵֽאָסֵ֣ף8 of 13

“should be gathered together”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַמִּקְנֶ֑ה9 of 13

“that the cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

הַשְׁק֥וּ10 of 13

“water”

H8248

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

הַצֹּ֖אן11 of 13

“ye the sheep”

H6629

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

וּלְכ֥וּ12 of 13
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

רְעֽוּ׃13 of 13

“and feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

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 29:7 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 29:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 5:16Galatians 6:9-10

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