Genesis 29:1-8 ▼

1 Jacob journeyed on and reached the territory that belonged to the people who lived in the east.

2 As he was observing a well that had been dug out on the open range, all of a sudden he noticed three flocks of sheep lying there, because shepherds watered their flocks from that well. There was a very large stone that covered the opening of the well,

3 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.

4 Jacob asked them, |My brothers, where are you from?| |We're from Haran,| they answered.

5 |Do you happen to know Nahor's son Laban?| he inquired. |We do,| they replied.

6 So he asked them, |How's he doing?| |Very well,| they answered. |As a matter of fact, look over there! That's his daughter Rachel, coming here with his sheep.|

7 |Look!| Jacob replied. |The sun is still high. It's not yet time for the flocks to be gathered. Let's water the sheep, then let them graze.|

8 But they responded, |We can't do that until all the sheep have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the opening of the well. Only then can we water the flock.|