The point here is this: That stone was so large it took several men to move it. That is one of the reasons why they gathered all the sheep together at one time, and then they would all get together and move the rock off there, and water the sheep. Then all the shepherds would be there to put the rock back on the well. Jacob did it all by himself! He was not only a man who was very contentious, he was also a man who was possessed with unusual physical strength. People were afraid of him. What Jacob wanted, Jacob got, one way or another—struggling, being contentious, deceptive, and manipulative. He was willing to work hard and long for whatever it was he wanted.
Here is the term "brother." Ach is used to indicate an ally in a business relationship. The Bible sees them as brothers in a business covenant. There is a relationship there, but "blood" is completely gone from the scene.
He did not even know them from Adam, and he called them his brethren! What was the connection? What was the relationship? It was an occupational relationship. They were all shepherds, but they were brothers. It was like belonging to a union, or being a member in a company.
