And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.
And they said, 'We can't do that until all the flocks are brought together, and until they roll the stone away from the well's opening. Then we water the sheep.'
The shepherds are explaining to Jacob that they must wait for everyone to arrive before they can move the heavy stone covering the well and water their sheep.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place when Jacob arrives at a well in Haran and meets shepherds waiting with their flocks. In ancient times, wells were often covered with large stones to prevent contamination and theft of water. It was customary for shepherds to work together to move these heavy stones, ensuring fairness in water distribution and maintaining community cooperation in the arid Middle East.
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