Genesis 29:4
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.

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.”

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.

Majority Standard Bible
“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are 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.

World English Bible
Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob says to them, “My brothers, where [are] you from?” And they say, “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 Bible
And 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 Bible
And 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 1917
And 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
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.

Genesis 24:29-31
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. / As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring. / “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

Genesis 24:42-44
So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! / Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ / and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.

Genesis 24:62-67
Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. / Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. / And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel ...

Exodus 2:15-21
When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well. / 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. ...

Judges 18:3
And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”

Ruth 2:4
Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.

1 Samuel 9:11-13
And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?” / “Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”

John 4:6-7
Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. / When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

John 4:9
“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.)

John 4:16-18
Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” / “I have no husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said to her, “You are correct to say that you have no husband. / In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”

John 4:28-29
Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, / “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”


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.

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Genesis 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.














Jacob asked the shepherds
In this phrase, we see Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, engaging with the local shepherds. The Hebrew root for "asked" is שָׁאַל (sha'al), which implies a seeking or inquiring with intent. This reflects Jacob's proactive nature and his desire to connect with those around him. Shepherds in ancient times were often seen as humble yet essential members of society, responsible for the care and guidance of sheep, which were vital for sustenance and economy. Jacob's approach to the shepherds shows his humility and willingness to engage with people of all walks of life, a trait that is admirable and reflective of a servant leader.

My brothers
The term "brothers" here is translated from the Hebrew word אַחַי (achai), which can mean literal brothers or, more broadly, kinsmen or fellow countrymen. Jacob's use of this term indicates a sense of camaraderie and kinship, even with strangers. It reflects the biblical principle of seeing others as part of a larger family under God, promoting unity and fellowship. This approach is consistent with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized love and brotherhood among all people.

where are you from?
This question is straightforward, yet it carries significant weight in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, where one's origin often defined their identity and social connections. The Hebrew phrase מֵאַיִן אַתֶּם (me'ayin atem) suggests a desire to understand the background and account of the individuals he is addressing. In a spiritual sense, this question can be seen as an invitation to reflect on one's own origins and journey, both physically and spiritually, and to consider how God has guided one's path.

We are from Haran
The shepherds' response identifies their origin as Haran, a significant location in biblical history. Haran is where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur and before moving to Canaan. It is a place of transition and preparation, symbolizing a stage in the journey of faith. The Hebrew name חָרָן (Charan) can mean "crossroads" or "parched," indicating both a place of decision and challenge. For Jacob, hearing that they are from Haran would have been significant, as it connects to his family's history and God's promises to Abraham. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the continuity of His plan through generations.

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


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OT Law: Genesis 29:4 Jacob said to them My relatives where (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 29:3
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