Jacob Meets Rachel and Laban in the City of Haran

29:1-14

29 Then Jacob left Bethel and continued traveling until he came to the land in the east where various people groups lived. 2 When he arrived there, he looked around, and he saw a well in an open field. There were three flocks of sheep lying near the well waiting for water. That was the well that flocks drank water from, but there was a heavy, large stone covering the top of the well. 3 Every day shepherds would bring all the flocks of sheep there. They would work together to remove the stone from the top of the well and draw water for the sheep. Then they would put the stone back over the top of the well.

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My friends, where do you live?” They replied, “We are from the city of Haran.” 5 So Jacob asked them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” They answered, “Yes, we do.” 6 So Jacob asked, “Is he doing well?” They answered him, “Yes, he is well. In fact, here comes his daughter Rachel now, bringing his sheep.” 7 Then Jacob urged them, “Look, the sun is still bright, and it is too early to gather the flocks for the night. You ought to draw water for them and take them back out to the fields to graze some more.” 8 But they replied, “We can’t do that until all the shepherds are here with their flocks. Then together we will move the stone away from the top of the well and draw water for the sheep.”

9 While Jacob was still talking with the shepherds, Rachel arrived at the well with her father Laban’s sheep; it was her job to take care of them. 10 As soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of his uncle Laban with her father’s sheep, he walked over to the well, removed the stone that covered it, and drew water for his uncle’s sheep. 11 Then he kissed Rachel on her cheek and he was so happy that he started crying. 12 Then he told her that he was her father’s nephew, the son of her aunt Rebekah. So she ran home and told her father the news.

13 When Laban heard about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to greet him. Then he hugged him and kissed him on the cheeks and took him to his house. Then Jacob told Laban about himself and everything that had happened, 14 and Laban exclaimed to him, “There is no doubt that you are a close relative of my family!”