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.
And he said, 'Look, it's still the middle of the day, and it's not time yet for all the flocks to be brought together. Why don't you water the sheep and take them back out to graze?'
Jacob is suggesting to the shepherds that since it's still early in the day, they should water their sheep and continue grazing them instead of gathering all the flocks together.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis 29, Jacob has traveled to Haran to escape his brother Esau and arrives at a well where he encounters shepherds and his future wife Rachel. He questions why the shepherds are gathering their cattle early in the day, pointing out that it is still daylight and they should instead water the sheep and send them out to pasture. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern pastoral lifestyle, where wells were communal hubs and timing was crucial for efficient animal care and daily routines.
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