And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
10. went near, and rolled ] Jacob disregards the rule of the well; and at the risk of incurring the wrath of the local herdsmen and shepherds, by a feat of great personal strength, removes unaided the stone covering, and renders Rachel the service of watering Laban’s flock. The shepherds were apparently kept quiet by the appearance of the stranger’s energy and strength. For the whole scene, cf. the story of Moses, Exo 2:16-21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 10. Jacob went near, and rolled the stone] Probably the flock of Laban was the last of those which had a right to the well; that flock being now come, Jacob assisted the shepherds to roll off the stone, (for it is not likely he did it by himself,) and so assisted his cousin, to whom he was as yet unknown, to water her flock.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either with the assistance of others, or by himself, he being then strong and lusty, and putting forth all his might before Rachel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother,…. Coming with her flock towards the well, and for whom and whose flock only the shepherds might be waiting:
and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother; wherefore out of respect to him and his, he being so nearly allied to him, it was
that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, either with the help of the shepherds, or of himself by his own strength; which the Jewish writers h say amazed the shepherds, that he should do that himself, which required their united strength. The Targum of Jonathan says, he did it with one of his arms; and Jarchi, that he removed it as easily as a man takes off the lid cover of a pot:
and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother; this he did partly out of respect to his relations, and partly that he might be taken notice of by Rachel.
h Pirke Eliezer, c. 36.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(10) Laban his mothers brother.The threefold repetition of these words has no other reason than that given in the Note on Gen. 28:5.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. Jacob saw went near rolled watered There is a romantic gallantry about Jacob’s conduct here that is noticeable . The thrice repeated Laban his mother’s brother deepens and intensifies the thought that he felt himself among his own; his mother had ever been his warmest friend and helper .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 29:10. Rolled the stone, &c. Out of complaisance to his relation Rachel, and to shew his officiousness in her service, Jacob assisted the shepherds to roll away the stone, when she approached with her flock; and, touched with the tenderest feelings on beholding so near and amiable a relation, the tears of sympathetic joy burst from his eyes. How pleasing and affecting a description! He did not long conceal himself from Rachel, who hasted to inform her father, and Jacob found a kind and hospitable reception.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Brother, here means no more than a relation.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 29:10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
Ver. 10. Went near, and rolled the stone, &c. ] If he did this alone, as the text seemeth to say, it was very strange. He might put forth his strength, to gratify Rachel, and to insinuate himself into her love.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
rolled: Exo 2:17
Reciprocal: Gen 24:13 – daughters Exo 2:19 – and also Pro 31:13 – worketh