Genesis 34:4-12 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:12

Ask me never so much dowry and gift ,.... Or "multiply them exceedingly" F9 הרבז־מאד "multiplicate super me admodum", Drusius, Schmidt. , fix them at as high a rate as may be thought fit; the "dowry" was what a man gave to a woman at her marriage; for in those times and countries, instead of a man having a portion with his wife, as with us in our times, he gave one to his wife, or to her parents for her; and especially in after times this was used, and became a law in Israel, in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

He had wrought folly in Israel - The land, afterwards generally called Israel, was not as yet so named; and the sons of Jacob were neither called Israel, Israelites nor Jews, till long after this. How then can it be said that Shechem had wrought folly in Israel? The words are capable of a more literal translation: בישראל beyisrael , may be translated, against Israel. The angel had said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob - not only Jacob, but Israel. It was this that aggravated the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:12

Ask me never so much dowry - See Clarke on Genesis 29:20 ; (note), etc. See the law relative to this, Exodus 22:16 , Exodus 22:17 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:4

Verse 4 4.And Shechem said to his father Hamor. In this place it is more clearly expressed, that Shechem desired to have Dinah for his wife; for his lust was not so unbridled, that when he had defiled, he despised her. Besides, a laudable modesty is shown, since he pays deference to the will of his father; for he does not attempt to form a contract of marriage of his own mind, but leaves this to his father’s authority. For though he had basely fallen through the precipitate ardor of lust; yet... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:5

Verse 5 5.And Jacob heard. Moses inserts a single verse concerning the silent sorrow of Jacob. We know that they who have not been accustomed to reproaches, are the more grievously affected when any dishonor happens to them. Therefore the more this prudent man had endeavored to keep his family pure from every stain, chaste and well-ordered, the more deeply is he wounded. But since he is at home alone, he dissembles, and keeps his grief to himself, till his sons return from the field. Moreover,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

Verse 7 7.And the sons of Jacob came out of the field. Moses begins to relate the tragic issue of this history. Shechem, indeed, had acted wickedly and impiously; but it was far more atrocious and wicked that the sons of Jacob should murder a whole people, to avenge themselves of the private fault of one man. It was by no means fitting to seek a cruel compensation for the levity and rashness of one youth, by the slaughter of so many men. Again, who had constituted them judges, that they should... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:8

Verse 8 8.And Hamor communed with them. Though the sons of Jacob were justly incensed, yet their indignation ought to have been appeased, or at least somewhat mitigated, by the great courteousness of Hamor. And if the humanity of Hamor could not reconcile the sons of Jacob to Shechem, the old man himself was indeed worthy of a benignant reception. We see what equitable conditions he offers; he himself was the prince of the city, the sons of Jacob were strangers. Therefore their minds must have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The tragedy at Shechem. I. DINAH AND SHECHEM . 1. A young girl ' s indiscretion . "Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land." If Dinah's object was to witness the manners of the people, she was guilty of objectionable curiosity; if to exhibit herself, of distressing vanity; if to mingle in their entertainments, of improper levity; and for all these reasons, considering the character of the family to which she belonged, and the wickedness of the people with whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

Good out of evil. The whole of this miserable story has its place in the development of the kingdom of God. No alliance can be true and safe which is not upon the foundation of the Divine covenants. Circumcision without faith is a mere carnal ordinance, working evil. The sin of Shechem was avenged, but it was avenged by the commission of a greater sin by Simeon and Levi. It was not thus that the kingdom of God was to be spread. "Ye have troubled me," Jacob said. And so have all worldly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:3-4

And his soul clave ( vide infra on Genesis 34:8 ) unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob ,—it was in some degree an extenuation of the wickedness of Shechem that he did not cast off the victim of his violence and lust, but continued to regard her with affection— and he loved the damsel ,—on the use of na'ar for a youth of either sex vide Genesis 24:14 — and spake kindly unto the damsel —literally, spoke to the heart of the damsel, ἐλάλησε κατὰ τὴν διάνοιαν τῆς παρθίνου... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:3-4

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