Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied. New Living Translation Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?” “We are from Haran,” they answered. English Standard Version Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” Berean Standard Bible “My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered. Berean Literal Bible And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, from where are you⁺?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” King James Bible And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. New King James Version And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” New American Standard Bible Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” NASB 1995 Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” NASB 1977 And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” Legacy Standard Bible And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” Amplified Bible Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” Berean Annotated Bible “My brothers, Jacob (he grasps the heel) asked the shepherds, “where are you⁺ from? “We are from Haran (mountaineer), they answered. Christian Standard Bible Jacob asked the men at the well, “My brothers! Where are you from? ” “We’re from Haran,” they answered. Holman Christian Standard Bible Jacob asked the men at the well, “My brothers! Where are you from?"” We’re from Haran,” they answered.” American Standard Version And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. Contemporary English Version Jacob asked the shepherds, "Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered. English Revised Version And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jacob asked some people, "My friends, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied. Good News Translation Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "From Haran," they answered. International Standard Version Jacob asked them, "My brothers, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered. NET Bible Jacob asked them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We're from Haran." New Heart English Bible Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran." Webster's Bible Translation And Jacob said to them, My brethren, whence are ye? And they said, We are from Haran. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered. World English Bible Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jacob says to them, “My brothers, where [are] you from?” And they say, “We [are] from Haran.” Berean Literal Bible And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, from where are you⁺?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” Young's Literal Translation And Jacob saith to them, 'My brethren, from whence are ye?' and they say, 'We are from Haran.' Smith's Literal Translation And Jacob will say to them, My brethren, whence are ye? and they will say, We are from Haran. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to the shepherds, “Brothers, where are you from?” And they answered. “From Haran.” New American Bible Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they replied. New Revised Standard Version Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jacob said to them, My brethren, where do you come from? And they said, We are from Haran. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Yaquuv said to them, “My brothers, from where are you?” They were saying to him, “We are from Kharan.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Jacob said unto them: 'My brethren, whence are ye?' And they said: 'Of Haran are we.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jacob said to them, Brethren, whence are ye? and they said, We are of Charrhan. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Meets Rachel…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. 5“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied.… Cross References My brothers, Genesis 19:7 “Please, my brothers,” he pleaded, “don’t do such a wicked thing! Judges 19:23 The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. 1 Samuel 30:23 But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us. Jacob asked the shepherds, 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. Genesis 24:17-20 So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” / “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. / After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” … John 4:7-10 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) … “where are you from?” Genesis 16:8 “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. Genesis 42:7 And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” 2 Kings 5:25 When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. “We are from Haran,” they answered. Genesis 11:31-32 And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there. / Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran. Genesis 27:43 So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. Genesis 28:10 Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. Genesis 24:10-27 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. / 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. … Genesis 28:2 “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. Genesis 24:11 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. Genesis 24:15-16 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. / Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. Treasury of Scripture And Jacob said to them, My brothers, from where be you? And they said, Of Haran are we. Of Haran. Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. Genesis 27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; Charran. Jump to Previous Haran Herdmen Jacob Relatives Shepherds We're WhenceJump to Next Haran Herdmen Jacob Relatives Shepherds We're WhenceGenesis 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. “My brothers,” Jacob's use of "my brothers" reflects a common cultural practice of addressing others with familial terms to establish rapport and goodwill. This approach is seen throughout Scripture, emphasizing community and kinship, as in Genesis 13:8 when Abram addresses Lot as "brothers" to avoid conflict. Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a key patriarch in the Bible, known for his journey to Haran to find a wife and his eventual name change to Israel. 2. Shepherds These are the men Jacob encounters near the well in Haran. They are responsible for tending sheep, a common occupation in the ancient Near East. 3. Haran A significant location in the biblical account, Haran is where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur. It is also the place where Jacob's mother, Rebekah, was from, and where Jacob goes to find a wife. Teaching Points God's Guidance in Our JourneysJust as God guided Jacob to Haran, He guides us in our life's journey. We should seek His direction in our decisions and trust His plan. The Importance of Family Heritage Jacob's journey to Haran connects him to his family's past. Understanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith and identity in Christ. Engaging with Others Respectfully Jacob addresses the shepherds as "my brothers," showing respect and camaraderie. We should approach others with kindness and respect, recognizing our shared humanity. God's Providence in Relationships Jacob's encounter with the shepherds leads to meeting Rachel. We should trust God's timing and providence in our relationships and life events. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 29:4?2. How does Genesis 29:4 demonstrate Jacob's approach to engaging with strangers? 3. What can we learn from Jacob's respectful inquiry in Genesis 29:4? 4. How does Jacob's question in Genesis 29:4 reflect Proverbs 15:1's wisdom? 5. How can we apply Jacob's respectful communication in our daily interactions? 6. What does Jacob's approach in Genesis 29:4 teach about building community relationships? 7. How does Genesis 29:4 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Mesopotamia? 8. What significance does the well have in Genesis 29:4? 9. How does Jacob's interaction in Genesis 29:4 demonstrate God's providence? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29? 11. How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives? 12. Genesis 29:2-3: How plausible is it for Jacob alone to remove a stone that typically required multiple shepherds? 13. How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men? 14. How did Jacob end up marrying both Leah and Rachel? What Does Genesis 29:4 Mean My brothers• “My brothers,” Jacob begins (Genesis 29:4). By addressing unknown herdsmen with family language, Jacob chooses a gracious tone that lays the groundwork for cooperation. • Scripture often shows believers using familial terms to create rapport—even when no blood relationship exists (Genesis 13:8; Acts 2:29; James 2:15). • This approach affirms the dignity of those he meets and reflects the covenant mindset that God’s people are to treat others with brotherly kindness (Leviticus 19:18; 1 Peter 2:17). Jacob asked the shepherds • The phrase highlights Jacob’s initiative; he has just traveled roughly 450 miles from Beersheba in obedience to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 28:7, 10). • Unlike Esau, who stayed among familiar people, Jacob steps into the unknown, trusting God’s promise at Bethel (Genesis 28:13-15). • Shepherds at a well echo an earlier scene where Abraham’s servant met Rebekah (Genesis 24:11-15). God again orchestrates meetings at a watering place, underscoring His consistent guidance (Psalm 37:23). “Where are you from?” • A simple question, yet strategic. Jacob needs confirmation that he has reached his relatives’ region (Genesis 28:2). • God’s plans often unfold through ordinary conversation (Ruth 2:3-4; John 4:7-10). • Asking directions models prudence and humility; Jacob does not presume but verifies, aligning with Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” “We are from Haran,” they answered • The shepherds’ reply (Genesis 29:4) immediately reassures Jacob: the Lord has brought him to the very city Abraham once left (Genesis 12:4) and where Nahor’s family still lives (Genesis 24:10). • God fulfills His word in real geography; promises are anchored in time and place (Hebrews 11:8-9). • Jacob’s arrival in Haran positions him to meet Rachel (Genesis 29:9-12), marry, and eventually father the tribes of Israel—showing how a divinely guided journey advances the larger redemptive story (Romans 8:28). summary Genesis 29:4 shows Jacob engaging strangers with brotherly respect, exercising wise inquiry, and receiving immediate confirmation that God has guided him to the right location. The verse illustrates how the Lord uses everyday encounters to steer His covenant purposes, assuring us that obedient steps taken in faith will meet with His faithful direction. Verse 4. - And Jacob said unto them (the shepherds of the three flocks), My brethren (a friendly salutation from one who was himself a shepherd), whence be ye? Anticipating that their reply would reveal his whereabouts. And they said, Of Haran are we. This could scarcely fail to remind Jacob of God's premise to guide him in his journey.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “My brothers,”אַחַ֖י (’a·ḥay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) Jacob יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc asked וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the [shepherds], לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew “where מֵאַ֣יִן (mê·’a·yin) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 370: Whence? are you from?” אַתֶּ֑ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you “We are אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃ (’ă·nā·ḥə·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural Strong's 587: We from Haran,” מֵחָרָ֖ן (mê·ḥā·rān) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2771: Haran -- 'crossroads', a city in northern Mesopotamia they answered. וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say Links Genesis 29:4 NIVGenesis 29:4 NLT Genesis 29:4 ESV Genesis 29:4 NASB Genesis 29:4 KJV Genesis 29:4 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:4 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:4 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:4 French Bible Genesis 29:4 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:4 Jacob said to them My relatives where (Gen. 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