Genesis 29:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.
Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יַעֲקֹ֔ב אַחַ֖י מֵאַ֣יִן אַתֶּ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵחָרָ֖ן אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

Brothers. This term was a standard form of greeting in earlier times, even among those unfamiliar with one another (Gen. 19:7). However, when the shared sentiment of fellowship and humanity within a society is overshadowed by selfishness and ambition, individuals start to elevate themselves, demanding titles of lord and sovereign.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Gen 28:10But Jacob being departed from Bersabee, went on to Haran.
Gen 27:43Now therefore, my son, hear my voice, arise and flee to Laban, my brother, to Haran:
Acts 7:2Who said: Ye men, brethren and fathers, hear. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charan.
Acts 7:4Then he went out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Charan. And from thence, after his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell.
Gen 24:10And he took ten camels of his master's herd, and departed, carrying something of all his goods with him, and he set forward and went on to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nachor.
Gen 11:31And Thare took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Aran, his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, the wife of Abram his son, and brought them out of Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Chanaan: and they came as far as Haran, and dwelt there.