1/29/2020 Genesis 34 - Dishonor and Betrayal
Genesis Chapter 34
Note: Since the close of the last chapter it appears to have been about ten years between the
time of meeting with Esau and Jacob. Now Dinah is a young woman. Scholars put her
age between 13 to 17 years of age.
Verse 01. And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the
daughters of the land.
Key Phrase: went out to see the daughters of the land; The land of Canaan, to visit them and
maybe make an acquaintance with them. She, having no sisters to converse with
at home, it might be a temptation to her to go abroad. The Targum of Jonathan,
mentions that she went to see the manners, customs, and fashions of the women
of that country, to learn them, to see their habit and dress, and how they
ornamented themselves.
Verse 02. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he
took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
Key Phrase: And when Shechem the son of Hamor; From whom the city had its name, near
which Jacob and his family now were:
Key Phrase: the Hivite, prince of the country; Hamor was an Hivite, which was one of the
nations of the land of Canaan, and this man was the prince or a principal man of
that nation, as well as of Shechem. Josephus writings calls him a king.
Key Phrase: saw her; That is, Dinah, what a beautiful person she was, and was enamored with
Her. She is different than the Hivite young women of the area.
Key Phrase: he took her: By force, as the Targum of Jonathan states that is physically
kidnapped her.
Key Phrase: and lay with her, and defiled her; "humbled" or "afflicted her" had fornication
with her . It is a rule with the Jews, that every such act, which is done by force, is
called an humiliation and affliction to the person and the family.
Note: Even in this time period a male could be stoned to death for such an act. And if the
female consented she could be stoned to death also.
See Special Note: Last page of this handout.
Verse 03. And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and
spake kindly unto the damsel.
1.
Key Phrase: And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob,.... His inclination was to her,
she was always in his thoughts; it was not a mere lustful desire that was suddenly
raised, and soon over, but a constant and continued affection he bore to her.
Key Phrase: and he loved the damsel; sincerely and heartily:
Key Phrase: and spake kindly unto the damsel; Such things as tended to comfort her she
being sad and sorrowful. To soften her mind towards him, and take off the
resentment of it to him, because of the injury he had done her. To gain her good
will and affection, and her consent to marry him. Professing great love to her,
promising her great things, what worldly grandeur and honor she would be
advanced to, and how kindly he would behave towards her; which might take with
her, and incline her to yield to his motion, which having obtained, he took the
following method.
Verse 04. And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.
Key Phrase: And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor; And told him the whole affair, at
least what a strong affection he had for Dinah.
Key Phrase: saying, get me this damsel to wife; By which he meant not only that he would
give his consent that he might marry her, but that he would get her parents'
consent unto it and settle the matter with them. Which it appears that even
among Heathen nations the consent of parents on both sides was judged
necessary for marriage.
Note: It seems by this as if Dinah was now detained in the house of Hamor or Shechem, and
was in the home or near at hand when Shechem addressed his father about her. See
Genesis 34:26.
Verse 05. And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his
cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
Key Phrase: And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; That is, that Shechem
had defiled her; the report of this was brought him very probably by one of the
maids which attended her to the city; for it was hardly to be thought that she
should go thither alone, and which must be very distressing to Jacob to hear of.
Key Phrase: and Jacob held his peace until they were come; He expressed no attitude, but
patiently bearing the rebuke and disrespect of Dinah and his family; nor taking any
steps in response until his sons were come home from the field; with whom he
chose to advise and whose assistance he would want, if necessary to use force to
get Dinah out of the hands of Shechem, or to avenge the injury done her.
Note: Jacob (now called Israel) was not blaming Leah for letting Dinah go out. Or not keeping
a proper watch over her. He did not say anything of it to any in the family. Not even to
express his displeasure at Shechem and not vowing revenge on him for it,
Verse 06. And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
Note: The father of the offender goes to talk with the father of the daughter who has been
violated and disgraced. Hamor is hoping to reduce the stress between them and use his
position to influence the situation in favor of his son Shechem.
Verse 07. And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were
grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying
with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
Key Phrase: And the sons of Jacob came out of the field, when they heard it; Either by a
messenger Jacob sent to them, to acquaint them with it, or by some other hand.
be it as it will, as soon as they heard of the abuse of their sister. They
immediately left their flocks to the care of their servants, and came to their
father's tent.
Key Phrase: and the men were grieved and were very wroth; They were grieved for the sin
committed against God, as well as for the injury done to their sister. They were
wroth or extremely angry against Shechem the cause of it.
Key Phrase: because he had wrought folly in Israel, in lying with Jacob's daughter; All sin is
folly, being a transgression of the law of God founded in the highest wisdom and
particularly uncleanness and that branch of it. The act of deflowering a virgin by
force and non-consent. This action being committed on Jacob's daughter and
whose name was of Israel. It also is "against" Israel (Jacob) and to his grief and to
the reproach of him and his family.
Key Phrase: which thing ought not to be done; Being against the law of the land and of nature
to do such an action by force and violence. Also against the law of nations to
allow it to occur and not be without judgement because of a person’s status or
family’s status.
Verse 08. And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for
your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
Key Phrase: And Hamor communed with them; This means that he spoke not only with the
parents of Dinah but also all of her brothers that had come in from the fields.
Note: the word Hamor means "an ass" and Shechem "a shoulder".
Key Phrase: saying, the soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter; The only
daughter of the family as we know of. The term soul and longeth have a couple of
different meanings in Hebrew. The Hebrew word translated as "soul" is the word
nephesh ( Strong's #5315 ). Some of these translations include; the soul, spirit,
life, person, mind, heart, creature, body, dead, desire, man, appetite. The word
longeth in Hebrew (haw-sheh-KAW) means to cling, i.e., join, (figuratively) to love,
delight in; elliptically; to deliver in (Strong's Concordance: H2836)
Key Phrase: I pray you give her him to wife; Hamor not only requests the consent of the
parents of the Dinah, but of her brothers also, which in those times and countries
seems to have been usual to ask and have, see Genesis 24:50.
Note: The use of the word pray by Hamor, was to illicit familiarity and a sense of similar beliefs.
This from a pagan worshiper and not a true follower of God.
Verse 09. And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our
daughters unto you.
Key Phrase: And make ye marriages with us; There was no objection on their side it lay on the
other. Remember that Abraham's servant was charged by him not to take a wife
of the Canaanites to his son Isaac. The same charge was given Jacob by Isaac in
Genesis 24:3. Therefore Jacob would never agree that his children should marry
any of that nation. Marriages with them were afterwards forbidden by the law of
Moses, found in Deuteronomy 7:3.
Note: That Hamor and Sheckem believe that in time other daughters or the offspring of Jacob
could be married between them and Jacobs. This would have also included the
maidservants and bond women under his domain.
Verse 10. And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye
therein, and get you possessions therein.
Special Note: What is Hamor really stating here? This whole situation of insult has now
become a point of commerce not of forgiveness of a wrong done to them.
See the following:
Key Phrase: And ye shall dwell with us; Peaceably and quietly, not as sojourners only, but as
inhabitants.
Key Phrase: and the land shall be before you; To choose what part of it they pleased to dwell
in, and which they should have in their own power and possession.
Key Phrase: dwell and trade you therein; In any sort of traffic and commerce the land would
admit of, and they should best choose. (cont.)
Key Phrase: and get you possessions therein; Buy houses and land, and enjoy them, they and
their posterity; these are the arguments used by Hamor to gain the consent of
Jacob and his family that his son might marry Dinah.
Verse 11. And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your
eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
Note: This is the first time we are informed for sure that the Shechem is present who
committed the disgraceful act.
Verse 12. Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto
me: but give me the damsel to wife.
Note: It must be acknowledged that the father and the son were disposed to make whatever amends they could for the grievous offence that had been committed. The fact that they requested Dinah as exchange was an insult to the family and reduced her to a procession or that she was less and could be bought.
Verse 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and
said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Note: Their conduct was unjustifiable in neither expressing regret nor restoring Dinah to her
family. As well as insulting in suggesting that they request a dowry from them what ever
they asked he would give. The fact that it is the father that presents the dowry for the
daughter.
Key Phrase: And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor deceitfully; Proposing the
marriage of their sister on terms after mentioned in the next verse, when they
never intended it should ever be granted.
Key Phase: and said; Or spoke in this deceitful manner; this ties the two verses together.
Key Phrase: because he had defiled Dinah their sister; They were filled with indignation at
him, and fired up with resentment against him and vowed within themselves
revenge upon him.
Verse 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is
uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
Key Phrase; we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; Not that
there was any law against it at that time; and there were. (cont.)
Key Phrase: (cont.) on the other hand, precedents for it both in Isaac and Jacob, who had
married the daughters of uncircumcised persons. Nor do they plead any law, only
that it was not becoming their character or agreeably to their religion. It was not
honorable in their esteem.
Key Phrase: for that were a reproach unto us; They should be reflected upon for slighting the
institution of circumcision, which was of God. So they pretend it might be
interpreted, should they enter into an agreement with uncircumcised persons.
Note: Hypocrisy and deceit, in all cases vicious, are infinitely more so when accompanied with
a show of religion. Here the sons of Jacob, under the pretense of conscientious scruples
conceal a scheme of treachery and deceit far beyond the one but to many innocents.
Verse 15. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you
be circumcised;
Verse 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us,
and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Verse 17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our
daughter, and we will be gone.
Key Phrase: But if ye will not hearken to us to be circumcised; Will not agree to this condition
of circumcision:
Key Phrase: then will we take our daughter; This should have been noted by Hamor and
Sheckem that this was a threat hidden in the context of hearing what they wanted.
The Targum of Jonathan adds by force in his historical account.
Key Phrase: and we will be gone: They are saying once they have Dinah they would depart
from this part of the country, and go elsewhere if not agreed upon.
Verse 18. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Verse 19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's
daughter: and he was more honorable than all the house of his father.
Key Phrase: And the young man deferred not to do the thing; Note again that in translation
the verb deferred in our language would did not put off or delay to be circumcised
himself, and to get all the males of the city circumcised;
Key Phrase: because he had delight in Jacob's daughter; He really loved her and delighted in
her person and company. Iit was not the effect of a brutish lust but a true
affection he bore to her, that he desired her in marriage. Even though he had
done such a disgraceful thing in taking her by force.
Key Phrase: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father; Though he had
done a terrible thing in defiling Jacob's daughter. Yet in this he was honorable,
that he sought to marry her. To do anything that was in his power to recompence
the injury; and he was honorable in keeping covenant and compact with men.
Note: Shechem and was honest, upright, and sincere, to fulfil the condition imposed on him
and agreed to. He was in greater esteem among the citizens than any of his father's
house, which made it the easier for him to get their consent to be circumcised.
Verse 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed
with the men of their city, saying,
Key Phrase: And Hamor and Shechem his son went unto the gate of their city; Where courts
of judicature were held, and all public affairs respecting the common interest of
the city where transacted. Here, no doubt, Hamor their prince summoned them
to come, by the usual method in which the citizens were convened on certain
occasions. Just like they did in Abraham’s day.
Key Phrase: and communed with the men of their city; Upon the subject of entering into an
alliance with Jacob's family, of admitting them to be fellow citizens with them. Of
their being incorporated among them and becoming one people with them taking
no notice of the true reason of this motion.
Verse 21. These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade
therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters
to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
Key Phrase: These men are peaceable with us; Meaning Jacob and his sons, pointing to their
tents which were near their city. These words were introduced with a preface, in
which notice was taken of Jacob and his family, and their names mentioned, as
here their character is given; that they were men of peaceable dispositions,
harmless and inoffensive, as appeared they had been ever since they came into
these parts.
Key Phrase: therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; Allow them to dwell
where they please, and carry on what trade and traffic in the land they think fit.
Since they are not likely to be quarrelsome and troublesome, but will deal
honestly and honorably and pay duly for what they agree for or merchandise in.
Key Phrase: for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; There is room enough for them
to dwell in, pasturage enough for their cattle and land enough to till, without in the
least incommoding the inhabitants. It is likely to be to their advantage, since they
would pay for what they should purchase or hire and would improve the land
which lay uncultivated.
Key Phrase: let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters;
This was the thing principally aimed at. The rest, both what goes before and what
follows after, were in order to achieve the goal of Shechem.
Verse 22. Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if
every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
Key Phrase: Only herein will the men consent unto us; The only term or condition insisted
upon, to come into an alliance and affinity with us.
Key Phrase: for to dwell with us, to be one people; To become one body or greater entity
place of power, is the following one.
Key Phrase: if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised; Submitting to
this rite, they agree to take up their residence with us, and be incorporated
among us and become one people.
Verse 23. Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let
us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
Note: That Hamor and Shechem were selling the commerce of the Family of Jacob (Israel) to
the people that they would prosper from such an agreement. It also indicates that
Jacob was still very prosperous by God’s hand in this land.
Verse 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate
of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Note: The people (men) of the city listened and agreed to this rite anyone who lived within the
protected structure of the walls and used the gate to come into or leave. Either having a
great opinion of their prince and his son, or with awe of them or love of them. Maybe
even influenced both by their arguments and example, they agreed to what was
proposed to them.
Verse 25. And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of
Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon
the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Key Phrase: And it came to pass on the third day when they were sore; In pain and not
healed yet enough to hardly move around.
Key Phrase: that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren; The word
brethren indicates they had the same mother and father. These two are the most
provoked at this indignity and abuse of their sister. (cont.)
Key Phrase: took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly; Not fearing the
inhabitants of the city in their current physical disability. Their rising up against
them to defend themselves. For the men of the city had no suspicion of any such
attempt that would be made upon them, and therefore were quite easy and
secure, not expecting nor fearing anything of this kind.
Key Phrase: and slew all the males; Those of age to resist or defend themselves because we
know that in verse 29 it clears up this matter.
See Attachment of Birth Order of Jacobs Children.
Verse 26. And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took
Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
Key Phrase: And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son, with the edge of the sword; Without
any compassion or mercy of these two. This is not excusing the inhuman
barbarity of this remorseless massacre of the other residents of this city.
Key Phrase: took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and went out; They found her in one of the
locked rooms and physically removed her from his house and went out of the city
to return her home.
Note: It is argued by Historians and scholars that mercy should have been shown Shechem
because he was truly in love of Dinah and Hamor should have died because he did not
discipline his son. And vice versa.
Verse 27. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had
defiled their sister.
Key Phrase: The sons of Jacob came upon the slain; That is, the rest of them, eight of them
Jacobs sons. Understanding what their two brothers had done, they came and
joined them and partook of taking from them what they found of any worth.
Key Phrase: and spoiled the city; Plundered it of all its goods and substance, spoiled (took) all
the wealth from the inhabitants that would be the women and young children of
the city.
Key Phrase: because they had defiled their sister; One of them had done it, which is imputed
to them all, they not restraining him from it, when it was in their power; and
perhaps approving of it.
Verse 28. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the
city, and that which was in the field,
Key Phrase: that which was in the field; This is to show that they were not satisfied with what
they had taken from the people of the city but also the property outside the city.
Verse 29. And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and
spoiled even all that was in the house.
Key Phrase: And all their wealth; Or "power" or "strength"; everything that made them
mighty and powerful; their gold and silver, their jewels, and rich furniture of their
houses, their arms and weapons of war, their goods and substance, in which they
sold.
Key Phrase: and all their little ones and their wives took they captive: They spared the
women and children, as was usual war, and in the plunder of towns and cities.
Key Phrase: and spoiled even all that was in the house; This is to let you know it was of
Shechem or Hamor, or in any of the houses of the inhabitants; they rifled and
plundered everyone, and took away whatsoever they found in them;
Note: Thus they add to their mass murder and c theft and robbery, which doubtless Jacob
disowned when they brought the spoil home and returned back both the surviving
people and their goods, though it be passed over in passage so as the lesson be learned.
We must remember the honesty of Jacob with Laban even though he was cheated.
Verse 30. And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among
the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being
few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and
I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
Key Phrase: And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi; Who were the principals concerned in this
affair and committed the first acts.
Key Phrase: ye have troubled me; 1st. Because of the sin they had committed. 2nd Because of
the dishonor brought upon God and their religion. 4th. Because of the danger he
and his family were hereby exposed to by their actions.
Note: He was most likely at his wit's end almost. Not knowing what to do, what course to take
to wipe off the scandal, and to defend himself and family from such a sinful and
shameful act by his children.
Key Phrase: to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land; To make him hated and
abominable ad abhorred by all the people round about. To be looked upon and
treated as a deceitful, treacherous, and perfidious man, that had no regard to his
word, to covenants and agreements made by him. As a cruel and bloodthirsty man that spared none, made no difference between the innocent and the guilty. As a robber and plunderer, that stopped at nothing, committing the greatest outrages to get possession of the substance of others.
Key Phrase: amongst the Canaanites and the Perizzites; Who were the principal inhabitants
of the land, the most numerous, and the most rustic and barbarous, and perhaps
nearest, and from whom Jacob had most to fear. Those slain had kinsman and
family from these other tribes.
Key Phrase: and I being few in number; Or men of number. He and his sons and servants, in
all, making but a small number in comparison of the nations about him.
Key Phrase: they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; I shall be
destroyed, I and my house. This he said to aggravate the sin and folly of his sons,
in exposing him and themselves to so much danger, which not only on the face of
things appeared probable, but even certain and inevitable, without the
interposition of divine power and Providence.
Note: Not that Jacob was afraid that this would be really the case, for he knew and believed
the promises of God to him, of the multiplication of his seed, and of their inheriting the
land of Canaan, and of the Messiah springing from him. Yet Jacob needed His children
to know and be aware of the consequences of their actions.
Verse 31. And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
Key Phrase: Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?; Shall we express no more
resentment of this abominable abuse of our sister than if she had been some
common harlot, whose abuse no man either regards or revenges?
Note: Thus they excuse one fault by committing two more. They defend themselves by
accusing their father of stupidity, and insensibleness of so great an indignity and injury.
The second is to break God’s laws so the honor of the clan was redeemed.
Special Note:
Verse 2. The child begotten in this act of fornication is said by them to be Asenath, who was
Birthed in Egypt and given up and brought up by Potipherah's wife as her daughter,
and afterwards married to Joseph, Genesis 41:45.
Note: God is in charge and we sometimes must live through the trials always with faith that
God’s will is being done. Do you realize that everything that Shechem promised Dinah
come to truth thru her daughter. She was a princess and the wife of the second most
powerful man in Egypt.
Ref: Verse 25
Leah’s children in birth order they were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
When Rachel saw that she was barren, she gave Jacob her handmaiden, Bilhah, to become a surrogate mother on her behalf. Bilhah then gave birth to Dan and Naphtali.
Leah, no longer having babies of her own, decided to do the same thing with her maidservant, Zilpah. Zilpah then bore Gad and Asher.
Leah again became pregnant and had three additional children: Issachar, Zebulun, and Jacob's only daughter, Dinah.
Finally, God opened Rachel's womb and she gave birth to Joseph who became Jacob's favorite son. Note: One more son will be born after they move.
12.
