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
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Jacob has traveled to Haran to seek his relatives and encounters shepherds at a well. They explain that they must wait for all the flocks to gather before rolling the heavy stone from the well's mouth to water the sheep, as this was a practical custom in ancient Near Eastern communities to ensure fair access to water and prevent contamination. This scene highlights the daily challenges and cooperative practices of pastoral life in that era.
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