Genesis 29:7 - He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 29:7" mean?
Genesis 29:7 describes a scene where Jacob arrives at a well and finds shepherds gathered with their flocks. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day..." Jacob is observing that it's still midday, meaning there's plenty of daylight left.
"...not time to gather the livestock together." The usual practice was to gather the flocks towards the end of the day, likely to protect them from the evening chill or potential predators and to prepare them for the night. Jacob points out that it's far too early for this.
"Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”" Jacob suggests a more practical use of their time. Instead of waiting around, they should water the sheep at the well and then take them out to graze.
In essence, Jacob is expressing his impatience and perhaps a bit of criticism. He's implying that the shepherds are being lazy by waiting idly instead of attending to their duties. He's essentially saying, "It's the middle of the day! Why are you just sitting here? Get to work!"
Possible interpretations and context:
Jacob's Character: This verse gives a glimpse into Jacob's character. He's proactive, observant, and not afraid to speak his mind. He's not content to sit around and wait.
Local Customs: The shepherds' actions might reflect local customs or traditions. Perhaps there was a specific reason why they waited until later in the day to water and gather the flocks (e.g., waiting for cooler temperatures or for everyone to be present). However, Jacob's comment suggests he doesn't necessarily agree with this practice.
Foreshadowing: Some interpretations suggest this verse foreshadows Jacob's own later experiences with Laban, where he feels he's worked diligently while Laban is less than honest or forthcoming. Jacob's eagerness to work contrasts with the perceived idleness of the shepherds, hinting at his future work ethic and potential conflicts.
Narrative Purpose: The verse helps to move the plot forward and sets the stage for Jacob to meet Rachel, who is about to arrive with her father's sheep. Jacob's impatience leads him to take action, which eventually leads to his encounter with his future wife.
In short, Genesis 29:7 is a seemingly simple verse that reveals information about Jacob's personality, provides context to the local customs, and helps advance the narrative towards his fateful meeting with Rachel.
Genesis 29:7 - He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”
What does "Genesis 29:7" mean?
Genesis 29:7 describes a scene where Jacob arrives at a well and finds shepherds gathered with their flocks. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day..." Jacob is observing that it's still midday, meaning there's plenty of daylight left.
"...not time to gather the livestock together." The usual practice was to gather the flocks towards the end of the day, likely to protect them from the evening chill or potential predators and to prepare them for the night. Jacob points out that it's far too early for this.
"Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”" Jacob suggests a more practical use of their time. Instead of waiting around, they should water the sheep at the well and then take them out to graze.
In essence, Jacob is expressing his impatience and perhaps a bit of criticism. He's implying that the shepherds are being lazy by waiting idly instead of attending to their duties. He's essentially saying, "It's the middle of the day! Why are you just sitting here? Get to work!"
Possible interpretations and context:
Jacob's Character: This verse gives a glimpse into Jacob's character. He's proactive, observant, and not afraid to speak his mind. He's not content to sit around and wait.
Local Customs: The shepherds' actions might reflect local customs or traditions. Perhaps there was a specific reason why they waited until later in the day to water and gather the flocks (e.g., waiting for cooler temperatures or for everyone to be present). However, Jacob's comment suggests he doesn't necessarily agree with this practice.
Foreshadowing: Some interpretations suggest this verse foreshadows Jacob's own later experiences with Laban, where he feels he's worked diligently while Laban is less than honest or forthcoming. Jacob's eagerness to work contrasts with the perceived idleness of the shepherds, hinting at his future work ethic and potential conflicts.
Narrative Purpose: The verse helps to move the plot forward and sets the stage for Jacob to meet Rachel, who is about to arrive with her father's sheep. Jacob's impatience leads him to take action, which eventually leads to his encounter with his future wife.
In short, Genesis 29:7 is a seemingly simple verse that reveals information about Jacob's personality, provides context to the local customs, and helps advance the narrative towards his fateful meeting with Rachel.