Genesis 29:1

The land of the people of the east] a general term for the lands eastward of Palestine, here e.g. Mesopotamia: cp. Job 13.

3. A well often belonged to two or three families. The opening was covered with a heavy stone which could only be moved by the united efforts of the shepherds of their several flocks. By this device it was impossible for one, more than another, to obtain an undue share of the precious water.