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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 34:18-31

We can explain the agreement of the men of the city, including Hamor (meaning "donkey," a valued and respected animal) and Shechem (Genesis 34:18), to undergo circumcision. Other nations besides Jacob’s family practiced this rite at this time as an act of consecration. [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 1:313-14.] Jacob was not suggesting that these men convert from one religion to another. [Note: J. Milgrom, "Religious Conversion and the Revolt Model for the Formation of Israel," Journal of Biblical... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:1-31

The Dishonour done to Dinah, and the Crafty Revenge of Simeon and Levi1. Went out to see the daughters of the land] According to Josephus there was a festival among the Canaanites at Shechem.7. Folly] The term is frequently applied in the moral sense as equivalent to immorality: see Deuteronomy 22:21; Judges 20:6; 2 Samuel 13:12, and frequently in Proverbs, as Proverbs 7:7. A world of argument lies in the scriptural identification of wickedness and folly. The moral man is the wise man. In... read more

Charles John Ellicott

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 34:30

(30) Ye have troubled me.—Jacob’s timidity led him to think first of the danger that would result from the conduct of his sons, and only afterwards of the cruelty and treacherousness of their deed. He commented upon this on his dying bed in words of fitting reprobation, but his reproof now is singularly weak, and the retort of his sons just. If the danger were all, this could have no weight when a shameful wrong had been done; but in avenging this wrong they had committed a crime of a deeper dye read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 34:1-31

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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:1-31

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 34:31

REFLECTIONS How dreadful the effect of unbridled passions! What sad events have been induced by their indulgence in all ages. And what is the whole history of mankind since the fall, but the same distressing page of suffering and sorrow, by reason of iniquity and sin. Blessed Jesus! how endearing here again is the recollection of thy merciful character, in that thou earnest to take away sin by the sacrifice of thyself. I think that this chapter affords a very interesting lesson to young women.... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:31

Should they, &c. This answer, full of insolence, to a father who was as much hurt by the indignity offered to Dina as they could be, heightens their crime. Sichem was the only one among the citizens really guilty, unless perhaps some of his servants might have given him assistance; and Hemor, the king, might contract some stain by not causing a better police to be observed, and by not punishing his son with greater severity, and not sending Dina home, &c. But why are the harmless... read more

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