Arriving at a local well, Jacob encounters a group of shepherds and initiates a conversation to ask about his family. This seemingly innocent inquiry serves as a friendly, softening introduction. Jacob actually intended to rebuke the shepherds for being lazy in their work, and he wanted to avoid starting the interaction with direct criticism [אלשיך].
During the exchange, Jacob asks about Laban, identifying him through his grandfather Nahor rather than his actual father, Bethuel. While grandchildren are often considered as children [רבנו בחיי, צאינה וראינה], the primary approach among commentators is that this choice is deliberate. Nahor, the brother of Abraham, was a highly respected and famous figure, whereas Bethuel was considered inferior and insignificant. Consequently, Laban and his family proudly associated themselves with Nahor rather than Bethuel. Additionally, Bethuel had already died by this time and was no longer known in the area [חזקוני]. Another perspective suggests that Nahor was the ruler of the city, which was even named after him, making it entirely logical to ask about the descendant of a famous local leader [הטור הארוך, פענח רזא].
Beyond social status, this inquiry is a subtle investigation into Laban's true character. Bethuel was widely known to be a wicked and corrupt individual. By associating Laban with Nahor, Jacob is trying to discover whether Laban follows the honest path of his grandfather or the deceitful ways of his father, while also ensuring that Laban's lineage remains untainted by Bethuel's actions [כלי יקר]. This intentional omission of a wicked father's name also serves as a foundation for Jewish law. If a person's father abandoned his faith or was known to be wicked, that person is called to the Torah using his grandfather's name, sparing him from public embarrassment [תורה תמימה, פרדס יוסף].
The shepherds simply reply that they know him [ביאור יש״ר]. Depending on the intent of Jacob's question, their short answer carries different deeper meanings. They might be confirming that Laban indeed behaves with the honesty of his grandfather [כלי יקר]. On the other hand, the response could be laced with sarcasm, implying that they know him all too well and that everyone is aware of his deceitful nature [ברכת אשר]. Regardless of their tone, Laban is clearly a prominent figure in the community, whether due to his wealth or his argumentative personality. Recognizing this, Jacob immediately follows up to ask about Laban's well-being and how he fits in with the local people [מלבי״ם].