Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” New Living Translation Jacob said, “Look, it’s still broad daylight—too early to round up the animals. Why don’t you water the sheep and goats so they can get back out to pasture?” English Standard Version 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.” Berean Standard Bible “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 Literal Bible And he said, “Behold, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go pasture them.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.” New American Standard Bible Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” NASB 1995 He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” NASB 1977 And he said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” Legacy Standard Bible And he said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Give water to the sheep to drink, and go, pasture them.” Amplified Bible Jacob said, “Look, the sun is still high [overhead]; it is a long time before the flocks need to be gathered [in their folds for the night]. Water the sheep, and go, and return them to their pasture.” Berean Annotated Bible “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. Christian Standard Bible Then Jacob said, “Look, it is still broad daylight. It’s not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Jacob said, “Look, it is still broad daylight. It’s not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze.” American Standard 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. Contemporary English Version Jacob told them, "Look, the sun is still high up in the sky, and it's too early to bring in the rest of the flocks. Water your sheep and take them back to the pasture." English Revised 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "It's still the middle of the day," he said. "It isn't time yet to gather the livestock. Water the sheep. Then let them graze." Good News Translation Jacob said, "Since it is still broad daylight and not yet time to bring the flocks in, why don't you water them and take them back to pasture?" International Standard Version "Look!" Jacob replied. "The sun is still high. It's not yet time for the flocks to be gathered. Let's water the sheep, then let them graze." NET Bible Then Jacob said, "Since it is still the middle of the day, it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. You should water the sheep and then go and let them graze some more." New Heart English Bible He said, "Look, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them." Webster's Bible Translation And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be collected: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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.” World English Bible He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Behold, the day [is] still great, [it is] not time for the livestock to be gathered; water the flock, and go, delight yourselves.” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “Behold, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go pasture them.” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Lo, the day is still great, it is not time for the cattle to be gathered; water ye the flock, and go, delight yourselves.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Behold, yet the day great, not the time of gathering the cattle; water ye the sheep, and go feed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds again: first give the sheep drink, and so lead them back to feed. Catholic Public Domain Version And Jacob said, “There is still much daylight remaining, and it is not time to return the flocks to the sheepfold. Give the sheep to drink first, and then lead them back to pasture.” New American Bible Then he said: “There is still much daylight left; it is hardly the time to bring the animals home. Water the sheep, and then continue pasturing them.” New Revised Standard Version He said, “Look, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the animals to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jacob said, Lo, the sun is still high, it is not yet time that the cattle should be gathered together; water the sheep, and go and feed them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Yaquuv said to them, “See, daylight still remains; it is not time to gather the cattle; water the sheep and go feed them.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jacob said, it is yet high day, it is not yet time that the flocks be gathered together; water ye the flocks, and depart and feed them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Meets Rachel…6“Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.” 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.” 8But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”… Cross References “Look,” said Jacob, John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn. Genesis 13:14 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, “it is still broad daylight; John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world. / But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” John 9:4 While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. Psalm 104:23 Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until evening. it is not yet time to gather the livestock. John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Jeremiah 31:10 Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock. Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” Exodus 2:19 “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Ezekiel 34:14-15 I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. / I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 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. Proverbs 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. / Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. Treasury of Scripture And he said, See, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water you the sheep, and go and feed them. Lo. Galatians 6:9,10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not… Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. it is yet high day. Jump to Previous Animals Cattle Collected Feed Flocks Gather Gathered High Jacob Livestock Middle Pasture Sheep Sun Time Together WaterJump to Next Animals Cattle Collected Feed Flocks Gather Gathered High Jacob Livestock Middle Pasture Sheep Sun Time Together WaterGenesis 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. “Look,” said Jacob, Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, is a central figure in the narrative of Genesis. His journey to Haran is a pivotal moment in his life, marking the beginning of his time away from his family and the start of his own family. This command to "look" indicates his assertive nature and leadership qualities, which are evident throughout his life. Jacob's ability to take charge foreshadows his future role as the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. “it is still broad daylight;” “it is not yet time to gather the livestock.” “Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe central figure in this passage, Jacob is on a journey to find a wife from his mother's family. He encounters shepherds and engages in a conversation about the timing of watering the sheep. 2. Shepherds These are the individuals Jacob addresses. They are responsible for tending to the flocks and are waiting to water them. 3. Haran The place where Jacob has arrived. It is significant as the home of his relatives and the location where he will meet Rachel. 4. Flocks The sheep that the shepherds are tending. They are central to the discussion about the appropriate time for watering and pasturing. 5. Well The location where Jacob meets the shepherds. Wells are often significant in biblical accounts as places of meeting and provision. Teaching Points Diligence in WorkJacob's instruction to the shepherds emphasizes the importance of diligence and not delaying necessary tasks. As Christians, we are called to be diligent in our work and responsibilities. Discernment of Timing Understanding the right time for actions is crucial. Jacob's awareness of the time reflects the need for discernment in our decisions and actions. Divine Encounters in Everyday Life Just as Jacob's journey led him to a significant encounter at the well, we should be open to divine appointments in our daily routines. Community and Cooperation The shepherds' gathering at the well illustrates the importance of community and working together to achieve common goals. Trust in God's Provision The well as a source of water symbolizes God's provision. We are reminded to trust in God's provision for our needs. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 29:7?2. How does Genesis 29:7 illustrate the importance of diligence in our work? 3. What can we learn about time management from Jacob's advice in Genesis 29:7? 4. How does Genesis 29:7 connect to Proverbs' teachings on hard work and laziness? 5. In what ways can we apply Jacob's work ethic to our daily lives? 6. How does Genesis 29:7 encourage us to prioritize responsibilities over personal desires? 7. Why does Jacob question the timing of watering the sheep in Genesis 29:7? 8. What cultural practices are reflected in Genesis 29:7 regarding shepherding? 9. How does Genesis 29:7 illustrate Jacob's character and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29? 11. Genesis 29:2-3: How plausible is it for Jacob alone to remove a stone that typically required multiple shepherds? 12. In Acts 7:16, Stephen says Abraham bought a burial place in Shechem, yet Genesis 33:19 credits Jacob with that purchase. Which account is correct? 13. How many members of the house of Jacob came to Egypt? Seventy souls (Genesis 4 - 27) Seventy-five souls (Acts 7:14) 14. What happens when wells run dry? What Does Genesis 29:7 Mean Look,Jacob greets the local shepherds with alert, purposeful words: “Look” (Genesis 29:7). • A call to attention—Jacob sees something the others are overlooking, reminiscent of Moses’ “Come, see” moments that redirect focus (Exodus 3:3). • Leadership in action—just arriving, Jacob speaks up, much like Abraham’s servant who quickly directs activity at the well (Genesis 24:17–20). • An example for believers to keep spiritual eyes open (Mark 13:37), noticing when tasks need doing rather than standing idle (Proverbs 10:5). it is still broad daylight; By pointing out the hour, Jacob appeals to common sense and stewardship of time. • Scripture links daylight with opportunity (John 9:4; Romans 13:12). • Work must match the season God provides (John 4:35), and daylight hours are gifts not to be squandered (Ephesians 5:15–16). • Jacob’s observation exposes any tendency toward laziness (Proverbs 20:4) and calls the shepherds—and us—to diligence. it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Jacob knows pastoral routines: animals are usually brought in at dusk, not midday. • The statement reflects responsible animal husbandry (Proverbs 27:23). • It hints at Jacob’s experience from tending his father’s flocks (Genesis 30:32–33). • In a broader sense, it urges believers to finish assigned work before resting (2 Thessalonians 3:10–12). Water the sheep Jacob issues a direct, practical instruction: “Water the sheep.” • Wells are vital meeting places in Genesis: the servant watering Rebekah (Genesis 24:14) and Moses defending Jethro’s daughters (Exodus 2:17). • Watering symbolizes refreshment God provides for His people (Psalm 23:2; Isaiah 55:1). • Jacob shows servant leadership—he does the heavy lifting himself moments later (Genesis 29:10), echoing Christ’s model of serving first (Mark 10:45). and take them back to pasture. The livestock need feeding, not loitering. • Pasture supplies nourishment; likewise, God’s flock needs continual feeding on His Word (Jeremiah 3:15; 1 Peter 5:2). • The directive protects the sheep from crowding and thirst, demonstrating care that mirrors the Good Shepherd’s heart (John 10:11). • Jacob’s sequence—water then pasture—follows sound husbandry, illustrating orderly obedience (1 Corinthians 14:40). summary Genesis 29:7 captures Jacob’s decisive character: he notices the moment, values time, confronts unproductive habits, and acts for the welfare of the flock. The verse teaches believers to be alert stewards, use daylight wisely, complete duties before rest, serve practically, and care well for those entrusted to us, reflecting the diligence and compassion of our Lord. (7) Neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together.--Rather, neither is it time for folding the cattle. As there were still several hours of daylight, Jacob is surprised that they do not immediately upon their arrival give the sheep water, and drive them back to the pasture. But if the well belonged to Laban, their reason for waiting till Rachel came is plain.Verse 7. - And he said, Lo, it is yet high day (literally, the day is yet great, i.e. much of it still remains), neither is it time that the cattle should he gathered together (i.e. to shut them up for the night): water ye the sheep, and go and feed them - being desirous to get the shepherds away from the well that he might meet Rachel alone (Keil, Lange, Murphy), though perhaps his words with as much correctness may be traced to that prudent and industrious habit of mind which afterwards shone forth so conspicuously in himself, and which instinctively caused him to frown upon laziness and inactivity (Starke, Kalisch, Bush).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Look,”הֵ֥ן (hên) Interjection Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! said Jacob, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “it is still עוֹד֙ (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more broad גָּד֔וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent daylight; הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day it is not yet לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no time עֵ֖ת (‘êṯ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 6256: Time, now, when to gather הֵאָסֵ֣ף (hê·’ā·sêp̄) Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove the livestock. הַמִּקְנֶ֑ה (ham·miq·neh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition Water הַשְׁק֥וּ (haš·qū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to the sheep הַצֹּ֖אן (haṣ·ṣōn) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock and take them back וּלְכ֥וּ (ū·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to pasture.” רְעֽוּ׃ (rə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with Links Genesis 29:7 NIVGenesis 29:7 NLT Genesis 29:7 ESV Genesis 29:7 NASB Genesis 29:7 KJV Genesis 29:7 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:7 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:7 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:7 French Bible Genesis 29:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:7 He said Behold it is still (Gen. 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