“And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.”
King James Version (KJV)
29:9 She kept her father's sheep - She took the care of them, having servants under her that were employed about them when he understood that this was his kinswoman (probably he had heard of her name before) knowing what his errand was into that country, we may suppose it struck into his mind immediately, that this must be his wife, as one already smitten with an honest comely face (though it is likely, sun - burnt, and she in the homely dress of a shepherdess) he is wonderfully officious, and ready to serve her, ver.#10|, and addresses himself to her with tears of joy, and kisses of love, ver.#11|, she runs with all haste to tell her father, for she will by no means entertain her kinsman's address without her father's knowledge and approbation, ver.#12|. These mutual respects at their first interview were good presages of their being a happy couple. Providence made that which seemed contingent and fortuitous to give a speedy satisfaction to Jacob's mind as soon as ever he came to the place he was bound for. Abraham's servant, when he came upon a like errand, met with the like encouragement. Thus God guides his people with his eye, #Psa 32:8|. It is a groundless conceit which some of the Jewish writers have, that Jacob when he kissed Rachel wept, because he had been set upon his journey by Eliphaz the eldest son of Esau, at the command of his father, and robbed him of all his money and jewels, which his mother had given him when she sent him away: it is plain it was his passion for Rachel, and the surprise of this happy meeting that drew these tears from his eyes. Laban, though none of the best humoured men, bid him welcome, was satisfied in the account he gave of himself, and of the reason of his coming in such poor circumstances. While we avoid the extreme on the one hand of being foolishly credulous, we must take heed of falling into the other extreme of being uncharitably jealous and suspicious. Laban owned him for his kinsman, ver.#14|. Thou art my bone and my flesh. Note, Those are hard - hearted indeed that are unkind to their relations, and that hide themselves from their own flesh, #Isa 58:7|.
ΒΆ And while hee yet spake with them, Rachel came with her fathers sheepe: for she kept them.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep. For she kept them.
- American Standard Version (1901)
While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she took care of them.
- Basic English Bible
While he was still speaking to them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
- Darby Bible
And while he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
- Webster's Bible
While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.
- World English Bible
He is yet speaking with them, and Rachel hath come with the flock which her father hath, for she [is] shepherdess;
- Youngs Literal Bible
While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she tended them.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible