(18) Their words pleased Hamor.—We gather from this that circumcision was a rite not only well known, but regarded as something honourable; for otherwise they would not so readily have submitted to a thing so painful. read more
(21) Let us take their daughters . . . —In a young community, such as this of the Hivites at Shechem appears to have been, the addition of a large number of women was a valuable increase of their strength, and one that brought the promise also of future extension. Jacob’s men were also chiefly of the Semitic stock, and therefore possessed of high physical and mental endowments; and as they were rich in cattle and other wealth, their incorporation with the people of Shechem would raise it to a... read more
CHAPTER 34 Defilement of Dinah 1. The defilement (Genesis 34:1-3 ) 2. Hamor’s proposal (Genesis 34:4-12 ) 3. The deceitful answer of Jacob’s sons (Genesis 34:13-24 ) 4. The males of Shechem slain (Genesis 34:25-29 ) 5. Jacob’s shame and grief (Genesis 34:30-31 ) If Jacob after the Peniel experience had gone to Bethel instead of building a house at Succoth and buying a parcel of a field, perhaps this sad event might never have occurred. God permitted it for the humiliation of His... read more
34:20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the {f} gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,(f) For the people used to assemble there, and justice was administered. read more
34:21 These men [are] {g} 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.(g) Thus many pretend to speak for a public profit, when in reality they are only speaking for their own private gain and convenience. read more
SHAMEFUL SIN IN JACOB'S HOUSE Jacob had been concerned about his own house: now he must learn through painful experience that when he puts his house first, he will find trouble and sorrow from his house. Understandably, Dinah the daughter of Leah did not want to be confined to her home, and went out to see the daughters of the land. But it was more than daughters she saw. She became sexually involved with a young man, son of the prince of that land. However, having been guilty of such an act... read more
JACOB ’S CHILDREN , ESAU ’S MEMOIRS THE WICKEDNESS OF JACOB’S SONS (Genesis 34:0 ) In the last lesson Jacob’s altar at Shechem proclaims God to be his God, but (as another says) it is evident he has not gotten the power of this name for he is walking in his own ways still, as his house at Succoth and his purchase at Shechem testify. So new sorrow and discipline must come. Dinah represents the young women of today who want to see the world and have their fling. Her conduct was indiscreet,... read more
Sad is the consequence of supposing gain to be godliness! 1 Timothy 6:5 . read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 34:1-31
THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more