Bible Strands
Genesis 29:7
“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses the shepherds at the well in Haran during midday, instructing them to water the sheep before the sun forces them to retreat.
The words — The phrase עוֹד הַיּוֹם גָּדוֹל (‘od hayyôm gādôl) translates literally as “still the day [is] great,” marking the daylight as extensive and the work window as still open.
The thread — The text’s focus on acting while daylight remains parallels Paul’s commands to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16) and to endure labor until reaping “in due time” (Galatians 6:9).
Why it lands — The verse records a practical directive to utilize available hours for necessary work, requiring the reader to identify permissible windows for action and reject procrastination until conditions close.
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, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.