Genesis 34

Genesis 34:1

Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land.

Genesis 34:1 · BSB

am 2272 , bc 1732

Genesis 34:2

When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.

Genesis 34:2 · BSB

Genesis 34:3

And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.

Genesis 34:3 · BSB

Genesis 34:4

So Shechem told his father Hamor, "Get me this girl as a wife."

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Genesis 34:5

Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned.

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Genesis 34:6

Meanwhile, Shechem's father Hamor came to speak with Jacob.

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Genesis 34:7

When Jacob's sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter—a thing that should not be done.

Genesis 34:7 · BSB

Genesis 34:8

But Hamor said to them, "My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.

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Genesis 34:9

Intermarry with us; give us your daughters, and take our daughters for yourselves.

Genesis 34:9 · BSB

Genesis 34:10

You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property."

Genesis 34:10 · BSB

Genesis 34:11

Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, "Grant me this favor, and I will give you whatever you ask.

Genesis 34:11 · BSB

Genesis 34:12

Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!"

Genesis 34:12 · BSB

Ask me On the practice of purchasing wives , Deut. Lam. Roque says , "Properly speaking , a young man who would marry must purchase his wife; and fathers among the Arabs are never so happy as when they have many daughters. They form part of the riches of the house. Accordingly , when a young man would treat with a person whose daughter he is inclined to marry , he says to him , Will you give me your daughter for fifty sheep , for six camels , or for a dozen cows?' according to the rank of her family , and the circumstances of him who desires to marry her."

Genesis 34:13

But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob's sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully.

Genesis 34:13 · BSB

Genesis 34:14

"We cannot do such a thing," they said. "To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.

Genesis 34:14 · BSB

Genesis 34:15

We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males.

Genesis 34:15 · BSB

Genesis 34:16

Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.

Genesis 34:16 · BSB

Genesis 34:18

Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.

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Genesis 34:19

The young man, who was the most respected of all his father's household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter.

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Genesis 34:20

So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city:

Genesis 34:20 · BSB

Genesis 34:21

"These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them.

Genesis 34:21 · BSB

Genesis 34:22

But only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us and be one people: if all our men are circumcised as they are.

Genesis 34:22 · BSB

Genesis 34:23

Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us."

Genesis 34:23 · BSB

Genesis 34:24

All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

Genesis 34:24 · BSB

hearkened In thus falling into this measure , the Shechemites must either have had great affection for their chief and his son , or have been under the influence of the most passive obedience. The petty princes of Asia have always been absolute and despotic; their subjects paying them the most prompt and blind obedience. The following instance will sufficiently illustrate and confirm this statement . Abu Thaher , chief of the Carmathians , about the year 930 , with only 500 horse , went to lay siege to Bagdad . the khalif's general marched out to seize him; but before the attack , sent an officer to summon him to surrender. "How many men has the khalif's general?" said Abu Thaher; "30 ,000 ," replied the officer. "Among them all ," says the Carmathian chief , "has he got three like mine?" Then ordering his followers to approach , he commanded one to stab himself , another to throw himself from a precipice , and a third to plunge into the Tigris . all three instantly obeyed , and perished! Then turning to the officer , he said , "He who has such troops need not value the number of his enemies!"

Genesis 34:25

Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons (Dinah's brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male.

Genesis 34:25 · BSB

Genesis 34:26

They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went away.

Genesis 34:26 · BSB

Genesis 34:27

Jacob's other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled.

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Genesis 34:28

They took their flocks and herds and donkeys, and everything else in the city or in the field.

Genesis 34:28 · BSB

Genesis 34:29

They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses.

Genesis 34:29 · BSB

Genesis 34:30

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed."

Genesis 34:30 · BSB

Genesis 34:31

But they replied, "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?"

Genesis 34:31 · BSB