‘And Jacob said to them, “My brothers, from where are you?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” And he said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.” And he said to them, “Is it well with him?” And they said, “It is well, and look, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep.”
Although it is still before evening three flocks have already gathered there. So by questioning their keepers Jacob discovers he has arrived at his destination, Haran, and asks after the man he seeks. A water-source was the natural place to find people to question, for it was a place where many would come. We note elsewhere how many meetings take place at water-sources. (One way of ensuring you met people was to wait at a water-source).
“The son of Nahor.” Nahor is the head of the family. ‘Son of” means ‘descended from'. Laban is actually the son of Bethuel, and is Nahor's grandson.