Knowing The Word in Genesis 29:1-12, Watering the Sheep

1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. [They were noted for their large flocks, herds, and camels (Job 1:3) and lived a nomadic life on the eastern fringes of Canaan in Transjordan.] 2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field [uncultivated land], and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, 3 and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. [The stone must have been very large, needing all the shepherds to move it.]

4 Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” 5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” 6 He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” 7 He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.” 8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” [They are not going to let Jacob tell them what to do.]

9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. [Not waiting for the other shepherds, Jacob repeats the actions of Rebekah when she met Abraham’s servant.] 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. [Why did he kiss her before a proper introduction? What has moved him to tears?] 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son, and she ran and told her father.