Jacob asks the shepherds if they know Laban, the grandson of Nahor. He is looking for a connection, hoping to find family in a place where he has none. The Hebrew word for know here is yada, which means to know deeply or personally—not just as an acquaintance. Jacob is searching for roots, for someone who can anchor him in this new environment.

This pushes back against the idea that you have to go it alone. Jacob is actively seeking community and family, even if it means asking strangers for help. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to need others and to look for belonging, especially in times of transition.

If you’ve ever moved to a new place or started over, you know the importance of finding even a single connection. Jacob’s question is a simple but powerful way to begin building a new support system. You don’t have to have all the answers; sometimes, just asking the right question is enough to start finding your place.