Bible Strands
Genesis 29:6
“Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob stands at a well in Haran and asks the local shepherds about Laban’s welfare. They respond by confirming his safety and pointing out Rachel’s arrival with the flock.
The words — The phrase הֲ/שָׁל֣וֹם (ha./sha.Lom) literally asks “is he at peace/healthy?” while the shepherds reply with שָׁל֔וֹם (sha.Lom), affirming that state.
The thread — The motif of inquiring about well-being precedes narrative action in Genesis 43:27 and Exodus 18:7, where such inquiries frame subsequent meetings or missions.
Why it lands — The text records a simple exchange of status before introducing a key character. It asks the reader to notice how routine inquiries function as structural markers that advance the narrative toward its next essential encounter.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
Cross-references
- Genesis 37:14 Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem,
- Genesis 43:27 He asked if they were well, and then he asked, “How is your elderly father you told me about? Is he still alive?”
- Exodus 18:7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.
- 1 Samuel 17:22 Then David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing.
- 1 Samuel 25:5 So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name
- 2 Samuel 20:9 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.